Senior Researcher’s Rooibos article makes waves internationally
ROOIBOS RESEARCHER: Dr Mariska Lilly
Thursday, 06 November 2025
An article on one of South Africa’s favourite brews, which was written by senior researcher Dr Mariska Lilly, has captured international attention.
Titled: The everyday tea that can boost your gut health and reduce inflammation, the piece was published in the Independent UK on 5 October after originally being published in the Conversation Africa.
It has attracted more than 580 000 views internationally.
“I am ecstatic that our article is doing so well nationally as well as internationally,” said Lilly, a Senior Researcher: Proteomics & Molecular Biology in the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI).
She joined CPUT in 2014 and over the past ten years, her research has focused on understanding molecular mechanisms underlying disease prevention, inflammation modulation, and toxin regulation through integrative proteomic, lipidomic, and transcriptomic approaches.
“My work bridges mycotoxicology, chemoprevention, and biotechnology, with a particular emphasis on the health-promoting potential of South African herbal teas and their bioactive compounds.”
“I initially investigated Fusarium verticillioides–maize interactions and the regulation of fumonisin biosynthesis, applying proteomic and transcriptomic tools to identify molecular targets for reducing mycotoxin production. This work led to the development of biocontrol strategies using rooibos and honeybush extracts. Building on this foundation, my research expanded into the chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory properties of rooibos and honeybush polyphenols in models of UVB-induced skin damage, gut inflammation, and barrier dysfunction. These studies combine advanced omics technologies, cell-based models, and bioinformatics to explore their mechanisms of action.”
In recent years, she has extended this work to include the development of delivery systems such as rooibos phenolipids and honeybush phytosomes to improve the absorption and bioavailability of polyphenols for therapeutic and cosmeceutical applications.
“In parallel, I have initiated research on probiotic-based formulations for animal health, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and microbial biotechnology.”
Read the article here.
Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za
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