Preliminary studies are presented showing to what extent nutrients available in the growth environment of Kombucha microorganisms affect the physical and mechanical properties of synthesized cellulose. With an increase in the amount of sucrose in the growth medium and with the presence of additional nutrients, peptone and tea extract, the thickness and strength of the biopolymer increased, while elongation was reduced. The best physical and mechanical parameters were obtained for bacterial cellulose from cultures with the addition of 10% sucrose and 0.25% peptone content. The increase in elongation correlated with the decrease in the degree of polymerization, which means that in media rich in nutrients, the number of molecules building the polymer decreases. The presented data is important in order to select ingredients that will help synthesize bacterial cellulose with the desired physio-mechanical properties.

This study investigated the effect of the homogenization of bacterial cellulose particles and their reintegration into a membrane on the mechanical and physical parameters of the films produced from them in relation to films made of native cellulose (not subjected to the homogenization process). Bacterial cellulose was obtained from a culture of microorganisms forming a conglomerate of bacteria and yeast, called SCOBY. The research has shown that the mechanical modification of bacterial cellulose contributes to an increase in the elongation of the material. Modified polymer films were characterized by a higher Young’s modulus and a much higher breaking force value compared to native cellulose. The mechanical modification of cellulose contributed to an increase in hygroscopicity and changes in water vapor permeability. The obtained results may provide significant information on the methods of modifying bacterial cellulose, depending on its various applications.

The aim of the research was to evaluate the changes in the surface properties of five functional clothing materials with water-repellent finishes (including PFC-free finish) after 1, 5, and 10 washes with three detergents. A new approach to the interpretation of the water-repellent properties of textile materials is presented, based on two techniques, i.e., the spray test method and contact angle measurements. The results showed that washing materials with hydrophobic finishes can cause significant changes in their properties, which are mainly dependent on the composition and structure of the material, as well as the type of hydrophobic finish. The PFC-free finish is the least resistant to washing. For all materials with PFC finishes, the water repellency depends on the fluorine content on the surface and fabric topography. It was also found that increasing washing frequency resulted in a gradual decrease in water repellency. The loss of water repellency below an acceptable level (Grade 3) occurred after the fifth washing for all materials. Significant differences in the interpretation of the results of the spray test and contact angle measurements were observed. Using these methods separately provides information on the changes in the surface properties of the tested materials; however, their parallel application allows for obtaining complementary data, which is important for the proper interpretation of results.

Purpose: The aim of the study reported in this article was to establish whether the quality of clothes of a given brand is perceived and assessed by consumers at the same level. An additional purpose was to identify the features that characterize the quality of popular, among Polish young female consumers, clothing brands and to classify them according to their quality level (perceived and assessed).Design/methodology/approach: The article presents two approaches to consumer assessment of the quality of clothes: the survey method, in which the product quality was determined by 320 Polish female young respondents (19–25) based on their own previous experiences and impressions related to a particular clothing brand, and a direct assessment of shirts of selected brands using a sensory quality assessment method, a five-point hedonic scale with the verbal anchor (115 evaluators).Findings: The research has revealed a significant difference between the perception of selected quality features of brands and the consumer assessment of the products. The perception maps developed based on the PROFIT analysis (PROperty FITting) as well as on cluster analysis provided interesting information about the situation of selected brands and their features in comparison with others and allowed to identify strong and weak features characterizing a given category.Research limitations/implications: This study has several limitations. First and foremost, the research results cannot be generalized to all consumers because they encompass the results from one national context and one population of respondents (young females). It should also be noted that the conducted research comprises only the most popular clothing brands available on the Polish market, in particular, the fast fashion segment brands. Furthermore, it would be advisable to carry out a sensory assessment of the quality of other clothing items offered under the brand names investigated.Practical implications: This research could be a valuable source of information for clothing company managers, thanks to which they could better manage their brand and its position on the market. When undertaking marketing activities consisting of building positive perceptions about the product, it is important to make sure that the product offers an attractive sensory experience. When real quality deviates from consumer perceptions about the quality, managers should take corrective actions to restore and even improve the brand image in the eyes of the consumer, as well as to ensure the brand and the products offered under it a stable position on the market.Originality/value: By comparing two approaches to consumer quality assessment, discrepancies between declared and real (sensory) quality of clothes have been identified and the distinctive features that differentiate selected brands regarding their quality level have been indicated.

The aim of the study is to show how the washing process, while considering the type of washing agent and number of wash cycles, determines the durability of hydrophobic finishes of laminated fabrics. The samples of material were subject to multiple wash cycles in clear water and with the use of two types of washing agents, namely, an ordinary washing powder and a detergent recommended by manufacturers of functional clothing. The washed materials were subject to spray test and its waterproofing and degree of surface wetting were evaluated. The tests have shown that waterproofing of membrane laminates with DWR (durable water repellent) coating become deteriorated during washing treatment and the use of special detergent does not guaranty the maintenance of better coating properties than an ordinary washing agent.