Narrative
Kombucha is perhaps best known as a fermented health drink, but the accompanying pellicle/biofilm when dried presents many textile-like properties. It is not easy to grow reproducible amounts (wet/dry weight) of the kombucha biofilm for further study, thus it was decided to investigate this variability using a citizen science approach, where multiple individuals selected different inoculation and incubation conditions, with effects on the resultant biomass being measured.The aims were:
1. To determine what incubation conditions generate best (quantity, variability) biofilm, using a public event to generate data.
2. To raise general awareness of biofilm and sustainability aspects of biological materials.
The HandsonBiofilm! event:
Manchester Science Festival takes place every October. It is hosted by the Science and Industry Museum, and a wide range of events take place across the school half-term week.
Get Curious! is a daily event hosted at the Museum, targeted at a family audience, and the event was delivered in this space.
The HandsOnBiofilm! title was decided upon to reflect the ‘hands-on’ activities of the event. The image used to promote the event showed a hand silhouetted behind a kombucha fabric sheet.
The event was developed to address the following questions/topics:
• What is a biofilm?
• What are the best incubation conditions for generation of kombucha biofilm?
• Does kombucha fabric have a role in sustainable fashion?
• What do Kombucha and other fermented foods taste like and are they good for you?
| Category of impact | Society and culture, Technological, Attitudes and behaviours, Environmental, Health and wellbeing |
|---|---|
| Impact level | Engagement |