Kombucha-based skin substitute to transform wound healing treatments

Russia's researchers at Omsk State Technical University (OmSTU) are developing an innovative skin substitute derived from kombucha that could be used to restore skin damaged by burns, purulent infections and complex wounds.

The official website of the university notes that the team is creating a biodegradable wound covering based on kombucha zoogloea – a form of bacterial cellulose produced through microbiological cultivation.

Kombucha is known for its complex chemical composition and high content of biologically active compounds. During laboratory studies, the material demonstrated strong antibacterial properties. Particular attention was given to the zoogloea structure, which consists of bacterial cellulose with high mechanical strength and biocompatibility, making it suitable for medical and biomedical applications, including wound dressings and skin substitutes.

According to the researchers, the kombucha-based material offers several advantages over conventional skin replacements made from synthetic polymers or cell cultures. Its production does not require expensive reagents, sterile cell lines or complex bioreactor systems, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining safety and effectiveness.

In addition to its antimicrobial properties, kombucha-derived biomaterial is associated with potential antioxidant and protective effects, expanding its prospects for medical use.

This cost level makes the material competitive with existing wound care products while offering added benefits such as biocompatibility, antibacterial activity and the possibility of local production. The project is currently at the development stage, and the researchers are preparing to file a patent for the technology.

Alongside this work, the team is also developing a kombucha-based biomaterial suitable for 3D printing, which is intended to serve as a scaffold for tissue regeneration.

Photo: AnnaStills / iStock