Colouring Kombucha Biofilm

Abstract: Guided by the principles of sustainability, we believe that the development of biomaterials offers the most promising solution for the textile and clothing industries. They present a potential path towards a closed-loop system, where waste from one process becomes raw material for another.Our research explores the potential of bacterial cellulose, particularly kombucha biofilms, as a primary source of material, as these biofilms offer unique advantages: they are renewable, biodegradable, and have inherent strength and flexibility.This study is motivated by the potential of natural dyeing in these biofilms and its application in fashion design. It begins with a comprehensive review of the existing literature on the use of kombucha in clothing, followed by the current limitations and opportunities of the experimental procedures carried out at BioLab Lisboa. What we learned about dyeing during the biofilm fermentation process was useful for continuing the research we are now talking about into the type of dyeing that happens in biofilm after it dries.During the process, we will analyse and discuss the results and conclusions on the potential of biofilms dyed in primary colours. Our goal is to not only address current difficulties, but also fully explore the possibilities of using kombucha biofilms in fashion design.

Keywords: Kombucha, Natural Dyes, Biomaterials, Fashion Design, Sustainability

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005560

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