[Editor’s Note] ‘Af-PRO’ is a community of African experts in Korea. The Korea-Africa Foundation, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has published a series of books titled Af-PRO, Connecting Korea and Africa. With the Foundation’s permission, we are serializing the contents of these books.
Discovering Myrrh in the Bible
As a Christian and a specialist in food and biotechnology, Director Jin-woo Kim began his journey with a simple question: Why did the Magi gift the baby Jesus with Myrrh, a substance unfamiliar even to modern biotech experts? This curiosity led him to invest two decades of his life and resources into researching this ancient material.
In a landmark achievement, Director Kim became the first in Korea to successfully ionize and ferment myrrh. Because myrrh has naturally powerful preservative properties—historically used by Egyptians for mummification—fermenting it was considered nearly impossible. By overcoming this, he stabilized and maximized its beneficial components, leading to the development of diverse products ranging from skincare to eco-friendly fertilizers.
The Innovation of MHS90 and the 'Virtuous Cycle'
Through his research, Director Kim discovered two potent compounds: Saligenin (an anti-inflammatory agent) and 2-hydroxymethylfurfural (a powerful antioxidant). He patented this fermented myrrh complex as MHS90.
"I realized that MHS90 benefits not just humans, but plants and animals as well," says Kim. This led to his philosophy of a 'Virtuous Cycle.' By using MHS90 in agriculture, farmers can replace chemical pesticides with organic methods, restoring the soil. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants, which leads to healthy livestock and, ultimately, healthy humans.
In Search of 'Kareube' in Ethiopia
To source the highest quality raw materials, Director Kim traveled to Ethiopia, the legendary home of the myrrh trees gifted to the Queen of Sheba by King Solomon. In 2016, after a persistent search in the highlands of Bahir Dar, he discovered that the locals referred to myrrh as 'Kareube.' "When I finally heard the name 'Kareube,' I knew I had found what I was looking for," he recalls. This discovery allowed Biorootics to become the first Korean company to directly import Ethiopian myrrh, bypassing third-party distributors and ensuring purity.
Future Visions: Plantations and Factories in Ethiopia
Through the Korea-Africa Foundation, Director Kim has expanded his reach, planning to build fertilizer factories and myrrh plantations in Ethiopia. By using local resources, these projects aim to solve local agricultural challenges and stimulate the economy.
"Ethiopia’s volcanic soil and mild climate make it a paradise for the bio-industry," Kim explains. Although some plans were paused due to the global pandemic, his commitment remains firm. "My goal is to return the value I’ve found in Kareube back to the Ethiopian people by helping them build a more sustainable and prosperous future."
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[Editor’s Note] ‘Af-PRO’ is a community of African experts in Korea. The Korea-Africa Foundation, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has published a series of books titled Af-PRO, Connecting Korea and Africa. With the Foundation’s permission, we are serializing the contents of these books.
Discovering Myrrh in the Bible
As a Christian and a specialist in food and biotechnology, Director Jin-woo Kim began his journey with a simple question: Why did the Magi gift the baby Jesus with Myrrh, a substance unfamiliar even to modern biotech experts? This curiosity led him to invest two decades of his life and resources into researching this ancient material.
In a landmark achievement, Director Kim became the first in Korea to successfully ionize and ferment myrrh. Because myrrh has naturally powerful preservative properties—historically used by Egyptians for mummification—fermenting it was considered nearly impossible. By overcoming this, he stabilized and maximized its beneficial components, leading to the development of diverse products ranging from skincare to eco-friendly fertilizers.
The Innovation of MHS90 and the 'Virtuous Cycle'
Through his research, Director Kim discovered two potent compounds: Saligenin (an anti-inflammatory agent) and 2-hydroxymethylfurfural (a powerful antioxidant). He patented this fermented myrrh complex as MHS90.
"I realized that MHS90 benefits not just humans, but plants and animals as well," says Kim. This led to his philosophy of a 'Virtuous Cycle.' By using MHS90 in agriculture, farmers can replace chemical pesticides with organic methods, restoring the soil. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants, which leads to healthy livestock and, ultimately, healthy humans.
In Search of 'Kareube' in Ethiopia
To source the highest quality raw materials, Director Kim traveled to Ethiopia, the legendary home of the myrrh trees gifted to the Queen of Sheba by King Solomon. In 2016, after a persistent search in the highlands of Bahir Dar, he discovered that the locals referred to myrrh as 'Kareube.' "When I finally heard the name 'Kareube,' I knew I had found what I was looking for," he recalls. This discovery allowed Biorootics to become the first Korean company to directly import Ethiopian myrrh, bypassing third-party distributors and ensuring purity.
Future Visions: Plantations and Factories in Ethiopia
Through the Korea-Africa Foundation, Director Kim has expanded his reach, planning to build fertilizer factories and myrrh plantations in Ethiopia. By using local resources, these projects aim to solve local agricultural challenges and stimulate the economy.
"Ethiopia’s volcanic soil and mild climate make it a paradise for the bio-industry," Kim explains. Although some plans were paused due to the global pandemic, his commitment remains firm. "My goal is to return the value I’ve found in Kareube back to the Ethiopian people by helping them build a more sustainable and prosperous future."
View News