Bacterial cellulose dressings from kombucha tea combined with casein to treat chronic wounds

João Teixeira – Student, Instituto Superior Tecnico; Diana Silva – Researcher, Instituto Superior Tecnico; Madalena Oom – Professor, Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Egas Moniz School of Health & Science; Helena Barroso – Professor, Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Egas Moniz School of Health & Science; Benilde Saramago – Professor, Instituto Superior Tecnico; Ana Paula Serro – Professor, Instituto Superior Tecnico

Introduction:

Chronic wounds (CW) represent a major healthcare challenge, increasing costs and impairing patients’ quality of life¹. They are defined by a healing time exceeding twelve weeks, largely due to persistent oxidative stress and microbial biofilms. Kombucha tea cultures, known as symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), possess antioxidant properties derived from tea components produced during fermentation, which may reduce oxidative stress. Casein, a milk-derived protein, provides bioactive peptides with immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties for CW healing use².