Kombucha¶

Cellulose is the most common polysaccharide in the world, synthesized not only by plants but also by bacteria. A symbiotic group of microorganisms in kombucha is known for producing a probiotic beverage that can be purchased in almost any store. Few people know that kombucha produces one of the purest forms of cellulose found in nature, in the form of a hydrogel structure called SCOBY (Symbiotic Consortium of Bacteria and Yeast). Bacterial cellulose can effectively replace plastic products in our homes.

The appearance of growing bacterial cellulose in a tea solution with kombucha microorganisms is quite unique. The role of cellulose is to protect microorganisms from pathogens. On the surface, it forms a protective biofilm in the form of a hydrogel coating resembling a pancake.

Kombucha is a fermented but non-alcoholic tea beverage prepared from water, tea, sugar, and SCOBY, commonly referred to as a "tea fungus." This consortium does not exist in nature but was artificially created around 220 BCE in Manchuria, in northeastern China. A cellulose polymer in the shape of a thick pancake forms on the surface of the mixture. The cellulose keeps the bacterial cells in close contact with oxygen while separating the yeast fraction responsible for fermentation processes. The dominant microflora of the consortium are high concentrations of acetic acid bacteria, including species such as Komagataeibacter and Gluconobacter. The primary producer of cellulose is Komagataeibacter xylinus. Although the composition of the kombucha consortium depends on the growth conditions of its inhabitants, such as available energy sources, temperature, and oxygen pressure, acetic acid bacteria remain a relatively stable community. This makes it easy to cultivate kombucha at home.

To grow kombucha at home, you need to purchase a "kombucha starter" - SCOBY, which costs about 25 PLN from an online store. Unfortunately, regular kombucha drinks are pasteurized and cannot be used to start a culture. Once you have a starter, simply brew black tea at a ratio of one tea bag (e.g., Lipton or Dilmah) per cup of boiling water with two teaspoons of sugar. Cool the mixture, add SCOBY, and cover the container with a lid to allow oxygen access. Leave it undisturbed at a temperature not exceeding 27°C.

About Kombucha¶

Kombucha is one of the most popular microbial consortia tested in space. It consists of multi-species bacterial components producing bacterial cellulose and multi-species fraction of yeasts. This symbiotic relationship characterizes stability, resistance to contamination, and its applicable byproducts: (1) bacterial cellulose and (2) probiotic brewing. Bacterial cellulose can be used as paper, bandage, threads, clothes, or electrophoretic membranes. Kombucha brewing is known as a living food rich in vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. Kombucha is easy to breed in non-laboratory conditions; however, the composition of the microbial consortium may change depending on the environment. Here we tested three various microbial consortia regarding chemical properties. We tested native kombucha, kombucha with added purple bacteria Rhodobacter Sphaeroides, and kombucha with added Cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. The FTIR method was employed to determine chemical properties of the bacterial cellulose and the brewing. The aim of this investigation was to screen modified kombucha consortia for potential use in future space habitats.

Research¶

We elaborated bioactive products that can be used for atopic skin and other dermatological problems. They act as probiotics for skin microbiomes.

Besides cosmetology, our laboratory is focused on the development of a new bioactive medium for hydroponic systems and standardization of the bacterial cellulose growth processes.

Products¶

Kombucha-derived bacterial cellulose can be used to generate several sensors biocompatible with human skin. We develop smart composites with nanomaterials.

The best part of working with kombucha is that it is tasty and healthy to drink as a probiotic.

Clothes in space¶

We are developing green technology to produce clothes in space using algae and kombucha bioreactors with full water and nutrient components reusability. Our technology will be applied in daily life here on Earth to reduce pollution in food and drinking water caused by textile fibers released after each clothes wash in washing machines. We have just submitted a patent application in collaboration with the Chemistry Department at Jagiellonian University.

Our prototype was tested during the lunar analog mission SPECTRA in the habitat Lunares in 2018:

This is how we make clothes and reuse them, first as filters, then solid materials, which are decomposed by insects, plants, and fungi.

More information in the scientific publication: "Hydrogel bacterial cellulose: a path to improved materials for new eco-friendly textiles" download

Science Art¶