A new study led by Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom discovered that it may be possible to make sustainable fabrics at home using bacterial cellulose (BC), which can be grown in a solution of black tea, sugar, and kombucha, a popular health drink containing a variety of yeasts, bacteria, and cultures.
The textiles were also found to be very resistant to scuffs and scratches, making them perfect for usage as protective apparel, such as motorcycle leathers, the study team. Other applications for the material include absorbent medical dressings, cosmetic goods, and filters. “We can create the conditions needed to grow the material at home, so a laboratory environment isn’t necessary,” said James Redfern, senior lecturer in microbiology and molecular biology at Manchester Metropolitan University, according to a university news statement.
The kombucha-grown textile has several features that make it an excellent alternative to traditional fabrics, particularly leather, having proved that it is stronger, more durable, and simple to mold into different clothing.
The material is also biodegradable and, in its pure state, does not include impurities commonly found in textiles such as waxes and other compounds, which need a lot of energy and chemicals to deal with, according to the study published in Textile Research Journal.
However, until recently, little study has been conducted to examine how well the material performs in comparison to traditional fabrics, particularly for usage as apparel.
The results indicated that the home-grown BC was exceptionally abrasion resistant, even more so than certain animal leathers.
However, the BC sheets were not as robust as ordinary animal leather when it comes to resistance to breaking under strain. BC sheets were also discovered to retain more moisture than other types of apparel.
