Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose: A Promising Biopolymer for Advanced Food and Nonfood Applications

The pellicle is a coproduct of kombucha beverage production without economic value. This material is based on cellulose produced from bacteria and has better physical properties than cellulose isolated from plants. This review systematically analyzed the research literature about pellicle (KBC—kombu...

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Main Authors: Talita Ribeiro Gagliardi, Adriana de Farias Nascimento, Germán Ayala Valencia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/738
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author Talita Ribeiro Gagliardi
Adriana de Farias Nascimento
Germán Ayala Valencia
author_facet Talita Ribeiro Gagliardi
Adriana de Farias Nascimento
Germán Ayala Valencia
author_sort Talita Ribeiro Gagliardi
collection DOAJ
description The pellicle is a coproduct of kombucha beverage production without economic value. This material is based on cellulose produced from bacteria and has better physical properties than cellulose isolated from plants. This review systematically analyzed the research literature about pellicle (KBC—kombucha bacteria cellulose) valorization. In general, KBC has been used in food applications, especially as a packaging ingredient to improve the physical properties of biopolymer-based films, as well as to manufacture packaging materials based on KBC. In addition, some studies have investigated the potential of KBC to encapsulate food ingredients or as a food additive. Furthermore, KBC has been used in nonfood applications with a special interest in the development of materials for textile and medical applications and as a substitute for disposable materials (e.g., spoons). Although the literature shows promising results, it is necessary to increase the production scale of this material, as well as to analyze its economic viability. It is also necessary to establish quality standards and international regulations for KBC with respect to its different food and nonfood applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-d98018106c3e4e5e9f194a464596f9db
institution OA Journals
issn 2304-8158
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Foods
spelling doaj-art-d98018106c3e4e5e9f194a464596f9db2025-08-20T02:04:36ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-02-0114573810.3390/foods14050738Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose: A Promising Biopolymer for Advanced Food and Nonfood ApplicationsTalita Ribeiro Gagliardi0Adriana de Farias Nascimento1Germán Ayala Valencia2Laboratory of Marine Shrimp, Department of Aquaculture, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, BrazilDepartment of Chemical and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, BrazilDepartment of Chemical and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, BrazilThe pellicle is a coproduct of kombucha beverage production without economic value. This material is based on cellulose produced from bacteria and has better physical properties than cellulose isolated from plants. This review systematically analyzed the research literature about pellicle (KBC—kombucha bacteria cellulose) valorization. In general, KBC has been used in food applications, especially as a packaging ingredient to improve the physical properties of biopolymer-based films, as well as to manufacture packaging materials based on KBC. In addition, some studies have investigated the potential of KBC to encapsulate food ingredients or as a food additive. Furthermore, KBC has been used in nonfood applications with a special interest in the development of materials for textile and medical applications and as a substitute for disposable materials (e.g., spoons). Although the literature shows promising results, it is necessary to increase the production scale of this material, as well as to analyze its economic viability. It is also necessary to establish quality standards and international regulations for KBC with respect to its different food and nonfood applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/738bacterial cellulosekombuchamacromoleculefood ingredientpackaging materialpellicle
spellingShingle Talita Ribeiro Gagliardi
Adriana de Farias Nascimento
Germán Ayala Valencia
Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose: A Promising Biopolymer for Advanced Food and Nonfood Applications
Foods
bacterial cellulose
kombucha
macromolecule
food ingredient
packaging material
pellicle
title Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose: A Promising Biopolymer for Advanced Food and Nonfood Applications
title_full Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose: A Promising Biopolymer for Advanced Food and Nonfood Applications
title_fullStr Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose: A Promising Biopolymer for Advanced Food and Nonfood Applications
title_full_unstemmed Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose: A Promising Biopolymer for Advanced Food and Nonfood Applications
title_short Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose: A Promising Biopolymer for Advanced Food and Nonfood Applications
title_sort kombucha bacterial cellulose a promising biopolymer for advanced food and nonfood applications
topic bacterial cellulose
kombucha
macromolecule
food ingredient
packaging material
pellicle
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/738
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AT adrianadefariasnascimento kombuchabacterialcelluloseapromisingbiopolymerforadvancedfoodandnonfoodapplications
AT germanayalavalencia kombuchabacterialcelluloseapromisingbiopolymerforadvancedfoodandnonfoodapplications