SCOBY Cellulose Modified with Apple Powder-Biomaterial with Functional Characteristics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Growing demand for sustainable, non-animal, and non-petroleum-based materials in the green economy.
• Emergence of "Vegan leather" from waste materials like cactus, pineapple, and apple, often combined with synthetic polymers.
• Need for fully natural and biodegradable alternatives to conventional materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a novel material entirely from natural, biodegradable raw materials.
• To modify bacterial cellulose (BC) with apple powder for improved mechanical properties.
• To evaluate the impact of apple powder concentration on the characteristics of the resulting material.

Main Methods:

• Bacterial cellulose (BC) was produced as a byproduct of SCOBY fermentation.
• BC was modified with glycerol and then entrapped with varying percentages (10-60%) of apple powder.
• Mechanical properties of the modified BC were evaluated, and microscopic analysis of apple powder coverage was performed.

Main Results:

• The entrapment of apple powder significantly enhanced the mechanical strength of bacterial cellulose.
• Microscopic observation confirmed uniform coverage of apple powder on the cellulose surface.
• The optimal concentration for apple powder was found to be 40%, yielding the most favorable mechanical strength.

Conclusions:

• Modified bacterial cellulose with entrapped apple powder presents a novel, durable, and functional material.
• The material demonstrated durability in a practical application (card folder) for at least one month.
• This research offers a promising sustainable alternative to conventional leather and petroleum-based composites.