Penicillium has been named Microbe of the Year 2026, recognising its role in producing antibiotics that have saved millions of lives since 1928. Industrial strains now produce hundreds of thousands of times more penicillin than the original discovery, with global production reaching 50,000 tonnes annually

Too long to read? Go for the highlights below. Refugee-led initiatives in Uganda and Kenya are training thousands in low-cost mushroom cultivation, creating revenue streams through products ranging from oyster mushroom coffee to medicinal skincare African mushroom entrepreneurs challenge persistent misconceptions that fungi cannot be cultivated, demonstrating that mushroom farming offers faster income generation and better climate resilience than traditional crops With 1.5 bi

China's National Health Commission has granted the country's first regulatory approval for mycoprotein, establishing detailed national specifications that provide clarity for future applications

Ethanol made from shiitake-treated wood performs well, showing the potential for pairing mushroom farming with renewable fuel production.

As bans on synthetic dyes expand and major brands shift ingredient policies, Chromologics is emerging as a key contender in the growing natural colour market alongside other fermentation-driven competitors.