A method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial obtained from kombucha mat and impregnated with a bioactive substance
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] A METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CELLULOSE-BASED BIOMATERIAL OBTAINED FROM KOMBUCHA MAT AND IMPREGNATED WITH A BIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE
[0002] Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial obtained by impregnating the bacterial cellulose, obtained as a result of kombucha fermentation, with a bioactive substance, in order to be used in various fields of application.
[0004] Prior Art
[0005] Bacterial celluloses produced from bacterial cultures are currently available and in use. On the other hand, the use of the kombucha mat as a natural cellulose source is present in the prior art. However, methods such as applying bioactive components to the kombucha mat or bringing combined functional properties are not currently present. Furthermore, bacterial cellulose produced using pure bacterial cultures can easily become contaminated with microorganisms from the external environment. The requirement for production under sterile conditions increases the cost of the processes. This leads to certain limitations in terms of raw material supply and the production process. However, a significant portion of these techniques do not fully utilize the potential of using industrial or organic waste as a growth medium. Furthermore, the fact that the cellulose material obtained by methods used in the prior art is not impregnated with a bioactive substance, such as natural antioxidants, vegetable oils, probiotics, and metabolites is a shortcoming, as it comprises only the use of the resulting cellulose in various sectors. This prevents bacterial cellulose from acquiring antimicrobial, antioxidant, or other functional properties and limits its applications. Therefore, currently there is a need for production methods by impregnating the cellulose obtained from kombucha mat with bioactive components, thereby offering a series of significant advantages over traditional methods.The United States patent document numbered US2022295813, which is in the prior art, mentions a method for a molded tea composition. The invention that is subject of the aforementioned patent document introduces a molded tea composition. The molded tea composition is prepared using microbial cellulose as a binder and dehydrated plant material. While the kombucha tea membrane can be used as microbial cellulose, tea leaves can be used as the dehydrated plant material. This molded tea composition may also contain other components such as probiotics and extracts. Also, a method for preparing said composition is provided. The invention is directed to an innovative and practical molded tea composition. Some advantages of said composition may include the following: The molded tea composition can combine the high sensory quality typically offered by bulk tea with the convenience provided by tea bags. It can offer similar convenience while protecting the consumer from unwanted plastics and chemicals found in tea bags. It allows tea leaves to fully open during the brewing process. It can be offered in a pre-portioned, single-serving size. It may provide enhanced health benefits.
[0006] Brief Description of the Invention
[0007] The object of the present invention is to implement a method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial impregnated with a bioactive substance obtained from a kombucha mat by integrating the bioactive compounds and the bacterial cellulose formed during the fermentation of kombucha tea.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to implement a method for producing a biomaterial applicable in various industrial sectors, including biotechnology, materials science, food packaging, biomedical applications, the cosmetics industry, and environmental engineering, within the field of sustainable biomaterial production.
[0009] Detailed Description of the Invention
[0010] A method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial of the invention, comprises the following steps:
[0011] - allowing the kombucha culture used as a starter for fermenting kombucha tea, to ferment in a container containing water with sugar and tea, at room temperature and ina dark environment,
[0012] - harvesting the kombucha mat once it has grown to the size of the container to complete the fermentation process,
[0013] - cleaning the mat obtained upon completion of the fermentation process and washing it with distilled water until its pH reaches a predetermined value,
[0014] - drying kombucha cultures to obtain cellulose, and
[0015] - impregnating the cellulose with bioactive material using the immersion method and obtaining a cellulose-based biomaterial.
[0016] In the production method subject to the invention, the kombucha culture used as a starter for fermenting kombucha tea is allowed to ferment in an environment containing 20% sugar and 250 ml of brewed black tea in 1 L of water at room temperature (25 °C ± 2 °C) and in a dark environment for 7-14 days (Figure 1). The kombucha culture is allowed to grow until it covers the surface of the container. Kombucha mat is harvested once the kombucha culture has grown to the size of the container to complete the fermentation process. The kombucha mat that has taken the shape of the container is cleaned in a 0.1 N NaOH solution, followed by washing it with distilled water and repeating this process until the pH reaches 6-7. The cleaned cellulose is obtained by drying at room temperature. The cleaned kombucha cultures are dried at room temperature to obtain cellulose (Figure 2). The cellulose obtained using the method subject to the invention has a high water-holding capacity, as determined by analytical methods to be approximately 90-95%. Also, it possesses fibrils at the nm scale, enabling the retention of absorbed substances (Figure 3).
[0017]
[0018] Figure 1. Figure for obtaining the kombucha mat
[0019]
[0020] Figure 2. Figure for the cellulose sample obtained from the kombucha mat
[0021]
[0022] Figure 3. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) image
[0023] The cellulose obtained by the production method subject to the invention is impregnated with bioactive components by an immersion method depending on the field of application. The impregnation process is performed at room temperature for 24-48 hours, and the duration is optimized based on the type of bioactive compound used.
[0024] In the production method subject to the invention, the cellulose obtained by drying the cleaned kombucha cultures is impregnated with at least one of natural antioxidants, essential oils, probiotic bacteria, and probiotic metabolites (postbiotics) to obtain a cellulose-based biomaterial impregnated with a bioactive substance. The cellulose obtained by drying the cleaned kombucha cultures is impregnated with components rich in polyphenols such as red cabbage juice as a natural antioxidant. The cellulose obtained by drying the cleaned kombucha cultures is impregnated with antimicrobial essential oils, such as tea tree oil as a volatile oil.The cellulose obtained by drying the cleaned kombucha cultures is impregnated with certain probiotic strains, such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v as a probiotic bacteria. The cellulose obtained by drying the cleaned kombucha cultures is impregnated with bioactive components produced by probiotics as postbiotics. Thus, the cellulose-based biomaterial impregnated with a bioactive substance will be used in medical applications such as antimicrobial wound dressings and biomedical bandages, as antimicrobial and biodegradable packaging films to extend the shelf life of fresh products in the food packaging sector, and in the cosmetic sector, where it highlights moisturizing and barrier properties in serum-infused face masks and skincare products.
[0025] The production method subject to the invention enriches natural bacterial cellulose obtained from kombucha fermentation with bioactive components. As a result, the obtained biomaterial contains bacterial cellulose with a high water-holding capacity (-90-95%) and a fibril structure at the nanometer scale, thereby enabling the effective impregnation of bioactive components. Said production method differs from traditional bacterial cellulose production and modification methods by its environmental sustainability and low-cost advantages.
[0026] Since the kombucha mat contains a naturally symbiotic community of yeast and bacteria used in kombucha tea fermentation, it ensures the dominance of beneficial microorganisms in the environment. This creates a natural protective mechanism against contamination. Also, during kombucha fermentation, bacterial cellulose naturally accumulates in the form of a mat, simplifying purification processes. The process of obtaining cellulose from the kombucha mat and the impregnation of bioactive compounds not only reduce production costs by minimizing contamination risks but also gives natural antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other functional properties by impregnating with bioactive components.
[0027] Based on these fundamental concepts, the subject of the invention “A Method For Producing A Cellulose-Based Biomaterial Obtained From Kombucha Mat And Impregnated With a bioactive substance” enables the development of a wide range of applications; the invention is not limited to the examples described herein but is essentially as set out in the claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial, characterized by:- placing the kombucha culture used as a starter for fermenting kombucha tea, in a container containing water with sugar and tea, and to ferment at room temperature in a dark environment,- harvesting the kombucha mat after the fermentation process is terminated, once it has grown large enough to take the shape of the container,- cleaning the mat obtained after the fermentation process is terminated and washing it with distilled water until its pH reaches a predetermined value,- drying kombucha cultures to obtain cellulose, and- impregnating the cellulose with bioactive material using the immersion method and obtaining a cellulose-based biomaterial.
2. The method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial according to Claim 1, characterized by placing the kombucha culture used as a starter for fermenting kombucha tea, in an environment containing 20% sugar and 250 ml of brewed black tea in 1 L of water to ferment at room temperature (25 °C ± 2 °C) and in a dark environment for 7-14 days.
3. The method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by growing the kombucha culture in a container until it covers the surface of the container.
4. The method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, after the kombucha culture has grown to the size of the container, collecting the kombucha mat upon completion of the fermentation process, and cleaning the kombucha mat that has taken the shape of the container in a 0.1 N NaOH solution, followed by washing it with distilled water and repeating this process until the pH reaches 6-7.
5. The method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by drying the cleaned kombucha cultures at room temperature to obtain cellulose.
6. The method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by impregnating the obtained cellulose with bioactive components by an immersion method depending on the field of application, performing the impregnation process at room temperature for 24-48 hours, and optimizing the duration based on the type of bioactive component used.
7. The method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by impregnating the cellulose obtained by drying the cleaned kombucha cultures with at least one of natural antioxidants, essential oils, probiotic bacteria, and probiotic metabolites (postbiotics) to obtain a cellulose-based biomaterial impregnated with a bioactive substance.
8. The method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by impregnating the cellulose obtained by drying the kombucha cultures with components rich in polyphenols, such as red cabbage juice as a natural antioxidant.
9. The method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by impregnating the cellulose obtained by drying the kombucha cultures with antimicrobial essential oils, such as tea tree oil as a volatile oil.
10. The method for producing a cellulose-based biomaterial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by impregnating the cellulose obtained by drying the kombucha cultures with certain probiotic strains, such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v as a probiotic bacteria.