Consumer perception and sensory characterization of bacterial cellulose as a sustainable textile material in a South African context

The textile industry is increasingly criticized for its high consumption of water, chemicals, and animal-derived materials, creating demand for more sustainable alternatives. In this study, bacterial cellulose was evaluated as a potential biobased textile material by investigating its sensory characteristics and consumer acceptance. Bacterial cellulose was produced using a honeybush tea fermentation medium and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, moisture measurements, and mechanical testing prior to sensory evaluation, alongside leather, vinyl, canvas, and plastics. Consumer perception was assessed using a nine-point hedonic scale and check-all-that-apply sensory profiling. Bacterial cellulose was most frequently described as smooth, sticky, and skin-like in appearance, with vegetable-like and vinegary odors. Hedonic evaluation indicated moderate consumer acceptance (5.26 ± 1.91), ranking second lowest among the materials. Correspondence analysis showed that bacterial cellulose clustered near leather because of its smooth and natural appearance, but differed owing to fermentation-related odors and perceived stickiness. Characterization revealed a crystallinity index of 35.8%, a dense interconnected nanofibrillar network, a moisture content of 36%, a moisture regain of 56%, and measurable tensile, tearing, and flexural properties relevant to textile applications. These findings indicate that bacterial cellulose has promising visual and tactile properties for textile applications; however, improvements in odor and surface properties are required to enhance consumer acceptance. This study provides one of the first empirical evaluations of bacterial cellulose textiles in a South African consumer context and contributes to understanding consumer perceptions of emerging biobased textile materials.