Bio-artificial dura mater in head trauma patients based on a kombucha-chitosan-collagen combination

Introduction: Kombucha scoby shows potential as a biomaterial applicable to patients with head trauma that results in tearing of the dura mater layer. This research aims to characterize kombucha scoby with chitosan and collagen as in vitro modification materials. The artificial dura mater is derived from kombucha scoby synthesized in green tea media and added with glycerol as a plasticizer.
Objective:  This study used four composition variations: Scoby-Kombucha (Control), Kombucha-Glycerol, Kombucha-Chitosan-Glycerol, and Kombucha-Chitosan-Collagen-Glycerol. Characterization was performed based on functional group analysis through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) testing, tensile strength, swelling, degradation, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) (MTT Assay). The characterization of functional groups confirmed the presence of functional groups from kombucha Scoby, chitosan, collagen, and glycerol. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis.
Results: The results of tensile strength characterization showed that the three sample composition variations have UTS values (4-20 MPa) and Elongation (7-20%) in accordance with artificial dura mater standards. The swelling characterization of the four samples showed a liquid absorption value that does not exceed the swelling ratio limit (<70%). The highest degradation was obtained in the Kombucha-Chitosan-Collagen-Glycerol sample composition with a degradation rate of 20%. The SEM test found a pore diameter that meets the standards for artificial dura mater in the sample compositions of Kombucha-Chitosan-Glycerol and Kombucha-Chitosan-Collagen-Glycerol. Cytotoxicity characterization through the MTT Assay showed that the material does not contain substances toxic to the body.
Conclusion: The Kombucha-Chitosan-Collagen-Glycerol membrane was an optimal composition as a candidate for artificial dura mater.