Microbial Treatment Binds Sand to Reduce Water Loss
Lab-grown cellulose fibers from fungi and bacteria improve soil stability and moisture retention in desert sand.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Life Sciences
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Researchers from Khalifa University, Empa, and ETH Zurich have developed a method to create "living sand" by using bacterial and fungal fibers. Published in Carbohydrate Polymers, this research-stage approach binds sand grains into stable structures using cellulose-producing microbes.
Why it matters
This development offers a potential biodegradable alternative to synthetic soil stabilization materials. By improving water retention and reducing permeability, the method targets desert environments where soil stability and moisture conservation are critical.
The microbial treatment increased water holding capacity to 25.5 percent from an untreated baseline of 20.2 percent. Additionally, cellulose sheets reduced water permeability by 28-fold, while fibers grown directly in the sand reduced water loss by six times.
The players
Khalifa University
A research-intensive university in the United Arab Emirates focused on science and engineering innovation.
Empa
A Swiss interdisciplinary research institution for materials science and technology development.
ETH Zurich
A leading Swiss public research university specializing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The details
Researchers utilized the bacterium Komagataeibacter medellinensis and two strains of the fungus Schizophyllum commune to produce cellulose fibers. These microorganisms create a biological mesh around sand grains collected from dunes near Al Ain. Bacterial treatment produces sand samples stable enough for cutting after seven days, while structural integrity was further verified using a 10-kilogram load on 6-centimeter column samples.
Timeline
Seven days are required for bacterial treatment to bind sand samples.
The Tech Race
This work sits within the broader pursuit of biodegradable soil stabilizers designed to replace synthetic polymers. It follows a research trajectory focused on microbial engineering as a low-impact solution for desert soil management.
This research is currently in the laboratory stage and is not yet available for commercial use. It primarily informs future soil engineering practices and infrastructure development in arid regions.
The takeaway
This study demonstrates that microbial cellulose can effectively bind desert sand to improve its physical properties. Watch for future patent filings or commercial partnerships as the team looks to move beyond initial laboratory testing.
Further reading
Explore ongoing advancements in biological material science in the Life Sciences section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScienceAlert.
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