Mongongo Seed Oil
Schinziophyton rautanenii
Mongongo Seed Oil, also known as Manketti Oil, is a cold-pressed African cosmetic lipid oil obtained from the kernels of Schinziophyton rautanenii, indigenous to Southern Africa.
Characterised by its linoleic-rich fatty acid profile, naturally occurring tocopherols and distinctive composition, Mongongo is a versatile formulation oil for skincare, haircare and conditioning applications.
Origin & Sourcing
- Botanical: Schinziophyton rautanenii
- Common names: Mongongo, Manketti
- Raw material: Mongongo kernels
- Origin: Zimbabwe
- Harvesting: Wild-harvested
- Extraction: Mechanical cold pressing
- Refining: Unrefined
- Additives: None
Afrika Botanicals sources Mongongo Seed Oil from Zimbabwe, where the tree occurs naturally across dry woodland regions and has a long history of traditional use.
Our primary supply comes through established wild-harvesting and processing networks, providing traceability from harvesting through processing and export.
Afrika Botanicals works with our strategic production partner in Zimbabwe to supply certified organic Mongongo Seed Oil.
Performance Profile
Mongongo Seed Oil is distinguished by its polyunsaturated fatty acid profile and naturally occurring antioxidant components.
It contains significant linoleic acid together with oleic and saturated fatty acids, while its tocopherol content contributes to the oil’s characteristic stability and formulation performance.
Key formulation characteristics include:
Versatile formulation profile – suitable for skincare, haircare and body-care applications
Linoleic-rich fatty acid profile – provides a useful polyunsaturated lipid component for cosmetic formulations
Naturally occurring tocopherols – contribute to the oil’s antioxidant profile
Distinctive fatty acid composition – differentiates Mongongo from more conventional cosmetic lipid oils
Conditioning properties – suitable for skin and hair applications
Rich but functional skin feel – useful in emulsions, treatment oils and lipid blends
Technical Information
- INCI: Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
- Extraction: Cold-pressed
- Refining: Unrefined
- Appearance: Pale yellow to golden liquid oil
- Odour: Mild, characteristic
- Typical shelf life: 24–36 months under recommended storage conditions
Natural variation in colour, odour and analytical values can occur between harvests and production batches.
Batch-specific analytical values are provided on the applicable Certificate of Analysis..
Applications
Mongongo Seed Oil is suitable for a broad range of cosmetic formulations, including:
- Facial oils and serums
- Creams and lotions
- Body oils and balms
- Hair conditioners and masks
- Scalp and treatment oils
- Anhydrous formulations
- Lipid blends
- Specialist skincare and haircare formulations
It is particularly useful where conditioning, a linoleic-rich lipid profile and distinctive African provenance are required.
Organic & Conventional Supply
Afrika Botanicals supplies certified organic Mongongo Seed Oil from Zimbabwe, with conventional material also available for specific requirements.
Organic production is independently certified through the applicable Zimbabwean supply chain.
We can provide current certification documentation with quotations and commercial orders when certified organic material is required.
Quality & Documentation
Mongongo Seed Oil is supplied with appropriate technical documentation, including:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Organic certification where applicable
- Origin and traceability information
Representative documentation is available during product evaluation, with batch-specific documentation supplied where applicable to commercial orders.
Packaging & Commercial Supply
Available formats depend on specification and volume and can include:
- 1 litre
- 5 litre
- Approximately 23–25 kg bulk containers
- Larger bulk formats subject to production and logistics requirements
We can plan commercial volumes with our Zimbabwean production partner based on availability and harvest.
Samples
Samples are available for formulation and commercial evaluation.
When requesting a sample or quotation, please provide your anticipated order quantity, annual volume, destination and whether certified organic material is required..
or buy a sample now
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Mongongo Oil and Manketti Oil the same thing?
Yes. Mongongo and Manketti are common names used for oil obtained from Schinziophyton rautanenii. Both names are used commercially.
Where does your Mongongo Seed Oil come from?
Our primary Mongongo supply comes from Zimbabwe and is produced through established wild-harvesting and processing networks.
Is Mongongo Seed Oil refined?
Our standard Mongongo Seed Oil is cold-pressed and unrefined.
Is certified organic Mongongo available?
Yes. Certified organic Mongongo Seed Oil from Zimbabwe is part of our standard portfolio.
What distinguishes Mongongo from other cosmetic lipid oils?
Mongongo combines a linoleic-rich fatty acid profile with naturally occurring tocopherols and a distinctive composition that differentiates it from more widely traded commodity oils.
What is the shelf life?
Typically 24–36 months when stored correctly in unopened packaging. Refer to the applicable product documentation for the supplied material.
Can you supply technical documentation?
Yes. COA, TDS and SDS documentation is available, together with organic certification where applicable.
Can you supply commercial volumes?
Yes. Please provide your required quantity and anticipated annual volume so that we can confirm availability, specification and production planning.