Processing and Properties of Nanofibrous Bacterial Cellulose-Containing Polymer Composites: A Review of Recent Advances for Biomedical Applications

Perspective of nanocellulose production, processing, and application in sustainable agriculture and soil fertility enhancement: A potential review

Nanocellulose, a promising green material derived from various bio-sources, has potentiality on and off-site in the agricultural sector. Due to its special qualities, which include high strength, hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility, it is a material that may be used in a variety of industries, especially agriculture. This review explores in this article production processes, post-processing procedures, and uses of nanocellulose in soil fertility increment and sustainable agriculture. A variety of plant materials, agricultural waste, and even microbes can be used to isolate nanocellulose. Nanocellulose is produced using both top-down and bottom-up methods, each of which has benefits and limitations of its own. It can be applied as nano-biofertilizer in agriculture to enhance beneficial microbial activity, increase nutrient availability, and improve soil health. Moreover, nanocellulose can be used in fertilizer and pesticide formulations with controlled releases to increase efficacy and lessen environmental effects. Innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture are provided by nanocellulose technologies, which also support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those pertaining to eradicating hunger and encouraging responsible consumption. Nanocellulose promotes climate action and ecosystem preservation by increasing resource efficiency and decreasing dependency on hazardous chemicals, ultimately leading to the development of a circular bioeconomy. Nonetheless, there are still issues with the high cost of production and the energy-intensive isolation procedures. Despite its various potentialities, challenges such as high production costs, environmental concerns, and regulatory issues must be addressed for nanocellulose to be widely adopted and effectively integrated into farming practices.

Development and Characterization of Antimicrobial Chitosan/Polyethylene Oxide/Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers

This study introduces novel chitosan (CS) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) copolymers reinforced with bacterial cellulose (BC) to fabricate nanofibers using the electrospinning method. SEM analysis confirmed uniform nanofiber formation, with CS/PEO/BC nanofibers (~240 nm) exhibiting a larger diameter than CS/PEO ones (~190 nm). FTIR spectroscopy confirmed BC integration, while Differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated minimal impact on glass transition temperature. Notably, as compared to CS/PEO nanofibers, the CS/PEO/BC ones demonstrated superior swelling capacity, accelerated biodegradation, and enhanced mechanical (i.e., tensile) properties, with maximum stress and strain values of ~3.41 MPa and ~0.01% vs. ~2.14 MPa and ~0.01%. Antimicrobial assays confirmed activity against bacterial strains, and biocompatibility tests showed high cell viability at day seven (99.26% for CS/PEO/BC nanofibers). These findings highlight the potential of CS/PEO/BC nanofibers as promising candidates for tissue engineering, offering improved strength, biodegradability, and antimicrobial properties.

Therapeutic functions of medical implants from various material categories with integrated biomacromolecular systems

Medical implants are designed to replace missing parts or improve body functions and must be capable of providing structural support or therapeutic intervention for a medical condition. Advances in materials science have enabled the development of devices made from metals, polymers, bioceramics, and composites, each with its specific advantages and limitations. This review analyzes the incorporation of biopolymers, proteins, and other biomacromolecules into implants, focusing on their role in biological integration and therapeutic functions. It synthesizes advancements in surface modification, discusses biomacromolecules as carriers for controlled drug release, and explores the application of nanoceramics and composites to improve osseointegration and tissue regeneration. Biomacromolecule systems are capable of interacting with device components and therapeutic agents - such as growth factors (GFs), antibiotics, and nanoceramics - allowing control over substance release. Incorporating therapeutic agents into these systems enables localized treatments for tissue regeneration, osseointegration, post-surgery infection control, and disease and pre-existing conditions. The review highlights these materials' therapeutic advantages and customization opportunities, by covering mechanical and biological perspectives. Developing composites and hybrid drug delivery systems align with recent efforts in interdisciplinary personalized medicine and implant innovations. For instance, a trend was observed for integrating inorganic (especially nanoceramics, e.g., hydroxyapatite) and organic phases in composites for better implant interaction with biological tissues and faster recovery. This article supports understanding how integrating these materials can create more personalized, functional, durable, and biocompatible implant devices.

Cellulose Based Nano-Scaffolds for Targeted Cancer Therapies: Current Status and Future Perspective

In the last few years, cellulose has garnered much interest for its application in drug delivery, especially in cancer therapy. It has special properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability, high porosity, and water permeability render it a good candidate for developing efficient carriers for anticancer agents. Cellulose based nanomaterials like cellulose nanofibers, bacterial cellulose, cellulose nanocrystals and microcrystalline cellulose as delivery vehicles for targeted drug delivery to cancer cells are reviewed. This review elaborates on the synthesis, functionalization, and application strategies of these nanocarriers, and shows how they facilitate to improve drug stability, bioavailability and targeted delivery to tumor sites. Their possibilities as a tool to overcome the limitations of conventional cancer therapeutics are also discussed. We also explore future directions for improving the efficacy of cellulose based carriers in cancer therapy.

Ultraviolet (UV) assisted fabrication and characterization of lignin containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) from wood residues

This study aimed to explore the synergistic mechanism of lignin chromophore modifications via UV treatment and to analyze the effects of mechanical treatments on LCNF properties for future uses. The procedure involved two steps: first, lignin's chromophore modification via UV illumination, and then the ball milling process was proceeded for 1 h, followed by high-intensity ultrasonic for 15-135 min. Characterization included preserved lignin content percentage, FTIR, UV-vis NMR, and color analysis for UV-modified samples, and to access the influence of mechanical treatment on LCNF samples further yield, zeta potential analysis, XRD, thermogravimetric analysis, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were performed. LCNFs S-120 demonstrated a zeta potential of -21.7 mV, indicating enhanced stability compared to the S-135 sample (-10.95 mV). The S-120 sample also showed the highest yield (74.02 %) and TGA at 391 °C. In XRD analysis, the S-120 sample demonstrated the highest CrI 64.3 %, than the S-15 sample (48.2 %). Preserved lignin in the LCNFs led to a slight reduction in crystallinity across all samples but improved thermal stability for all the prepared LCNFs samples. The UV and ultrasonication improved the homogeneity and durability of the LCNF samples, enabling a process that may be used to industries.

Protein Immobilization on Bacterial Cellulose for Biomedical Application

New carriers for protein immobilization are objects of interest in various fields of biomedicine. Immobilization is a technique used to stabilize and provide physical support for biological micro- and macromolecules and whole cells. Special efforts have been made to develop new materials for protein immobilization that are non-toxic to both the body and the environment, inexpensive, readily available, and easy to modify. Currently, biodegradable and non-toxic polymers, including cellulose, are widely used for protein immobilization. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a natural polymer with excellent biocompatibility, purity, high porosity, high water uptake capacity, non-immunogenicity, and ease of production and modification. BC is composed of glucose units and does not contain lignin or hemicellulose, which is an advantage allowing the avoidance of the chemical purification step before use. Recently, BC-protein composites have been developed as wound dressings, tissue engineering scaffolds, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems, drug delivery systems, and enzyme immobilization matrices. Proteins or peptides are often added to polymeric scaffolds to improve their biocompatibility and biological, physical-chemical, and mechanical properties. To broaden BC applications, various ex situ and in situ modifications of native BC are used to improve its properties for a specific application. In vivo studies showed that several BC-protein composites exhibited excellent biocompatibility, demonstrated prolonged treatment time, and increased the survival of animals. Today, there are several patents and commercial BC-based composites for wounds and vascular grafts. Therefore, further research on BC-protein composites has great prospects. This review focuses on the major advances in protein immobilization on BC for biomedical applications.

Bacterial cellulose in cosmetic innovation: A review

Bacterial cellulose (BC) emerges as a versatile biomaterial with a myriad of industrial applications, particularly within the cosmetics sector. The absence of hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin in its pure cellulose structure enables favorable interactions with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic biopolymers. This enhances compatibility with active ingredients commonly employed in cosmetics, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and botanical extracts. Recent progress in BC-based materials, which encompasses membranes, films, gels, nanocrystals, and nanofibers, highlights its significant potential in cosmetics. In this context, BC not only serves as a carrier for active ingredients but also plays a crucial role as a structural agent in formulations. The sustainability of BC production and processing is a central focus, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to strengthen scalability and cost-effectiveness. Future research endeavors, including the exploration of novel cultivation strategies and functionalization techniques, aim to maximize BC's therapeutic potential while broadening its scope in personalized skincare regimes. Therefore, this review emphasizes the crucial contribution of BC to the cosmetics sector, underlining its role in fostering innovation, sustainability, and ethical skincare practices. By integrating recent research findings and industry trends, this review proposes a fresh approach to advancing both skincare science and environmental responsibility in the cosmetics industry.

The Effect of Antibacterial-Osteogenic Surface Modification on the Osseointegration of Titanium Implants: A Static and Dynamic Strategy

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used biomaterials in bone repair. Although these biomaterials possess stable properties and good biocompatibility, the high elastic modulus and low surface activity of Ti implants have often been associated with infection, inflammation, and poor osteogenesis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to modify the surface of Ti implants, where changes in surface morphology or coatings loading can confer specific functions to help them adapt to the osseointegration formation phase and resist bacterial infection. This can further ensure a healthy microenvironment for bone regeneration as well as the promotion of immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis. Therefore, in this review, we evaluated various functional Ti implants after surface modification, both in terms of static modifications and dynamic response strategies, mainly focusing on the synergistic effects of antimicrobial activities and functionalized osteogenic. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives are summarized to provide innovative and effective solutions for osseointegration and bone defect repair.

Fillers and methods to improve the effective (out-plane) thermal conductivity of polymeric thermal interface materials - A review

The internet of things and growing demand for smaller and more advanced devices has created the problem of high heat production in electronic equipment, which greatly reduces the work performance and life of the electronic instruments. Thermal interface material (TIM) is placed in between heat generating micro-chip and the heat dissipater to conduct all the produced heat to the heat sink. The development of suitable TIM with excellent thermal conductivity (TC) in both in-plane and through-plane directions is a very important need at present. For efficient thermal management, polymer composites are potential candidates. But in general, their thermal conductivity is low compared to that of metals. The filler integration into the polymer matrix is one of the two approaches used to increase the thermal conductivity of polymer composites and is also easy to scale up for industrial production. Another way to achieve this is to change the structure of polymer chains, which fall out of the scope of this work. In this review, considering the first approach, the authors have summarized recent developments in many types of fillers with different scenarios by providing multiple cases with successful strategies to improve through-plane thermal conductivity (TPTC) (k⊥). For a better understanding of TC, a comprehensive background is presented. Several methods to improve the effective (out-plane) thermal conductivity of polymer composites and different theoretical models for the calculation of TC are also discussed. In the end, it is given a detailed conclusion that provides drawbacks of some fillers, multiple significant routes recommended by other researchers to build thermally conductive polymer composites, future aspects along with direction so that the researchers can get a guideline to design an effective polymer-based thermal interface material.

Study of alkali-soluble curdlan/bacterial cellulose/cinnamon essential oil blend films with enhanced mechanical properties

In response to the growing demand for biodegraded film with high mechanical properties for complex preservation application scenarios, we developed a curdlan (CD) blended films with exceptional mechanical strength through an alkali dissolution method. Notably, the alkali-soluble CD film exhibited five-fold increase in tensile strength (TS) when compared to its water-soluble counterpart. Furthermore, the inclusion of 2 % bacterial cellulose (BC) resulted in a significant 41.1 % augmentation of the film's TS. Thermal stability improvements were observed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results provided insights into alterations in film crystallinity and intermolecular interactions. Specifically, the incorporation of 10 % CEO led to an additional improvement in TS. Our experimental investigations involving the packaging of chilled fresh meat with these blended films unveiled their capacity to effectively inhibit microorganism growth, maintain meat color stability, delay protein decomposition and fat oxidation, and extend the storage time up to 9 days. Our study offers a promising solution for food packaging, emphasizing the development of a high-strength degradable CD/BC/CEO blended film, which holds potential for extending the shelf life of food products.

Homogeneous silver nanoparticle loaded polydopamine/polyethyleneimine-coated bacterial cellulose nanofibers for wound dressing

Utilizing mussel-inspired chemistry is an advanced strategy for surface modification, because dopamine (DA) can form a material-independent adhesive coating and further functionalization can be achieved, including the production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Nevertheless, DA easily aggregates in the nanofiber network structure of bacterial cellulose (BC), which not only blocks the pores in the BC structure but also leads to the formation of large silver particles and the burst release of highly cytotoxic silver ions. Herein, a homogeneous AgNP-loaded polydopamine (PDA)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) coated BC was constructed via a Michael reaction between PDA and PEI. Under the action of PEI, the PDA/PEI coating was uniformly attached to the BC fiber surface with a thickness of approximately 4 nm, and homogeneous AgNPs were produced on the uniform PDA/PEI/BC (PPBC) fiber surface. The sustained release of silver ions was better from AgNPs@PPBC than from AgNPs@PDA/BC. The obtained AgNPs@PPBC exhibited excellent antibacterial activities and cytocompatibility. The results of the in vivo assay indicated that the AgNPs@PPBC dressing could inhibit S. aureus infection and inflammation, promote hair follicle growth, enhance collagen deposition, and accelerate wound healing within 12 days compared with BC. These results illustrate that the homogeneous AgNPs@PPBC dressing has great potential for treating infected wounds.

Bacterial Cellulose-Based Materials: A Perspective on Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Applications

Today, a wide variety of bio- and nanomaterials have been deployed for cardiovascular tissue engineering (TE), including polymers, metal oxides, graphene/its derivatives, organometallic complexes/composites based on inorganic-organic components, among others. Despite several advantages of these materials with unique mechanical, biological, and electrical properties, some challenges still remain pertaining to their biocompatibility, cytocompatibility, and possible risk factors (e.g., teratogenicity or carcinogenicity), restricting their future clinical applications. Natural polysaccharide- and protein-based (nano)structures with the benefits of biocompatibility, sustainability, biodegradability, and versatility have been exploited in the field of cardiovascular TE focusing on targeted drug delivery, vascular grafts, engineered cardiac muscle, etc. The usage of these natural biomaterials and their residues offers several advantages in terms of environmental aspects such as alleviating emission of greenhouse gases as well as the production of energy as a biomass consumption output. In TE, the development of biodegradable and biocompatible scaffolds with potentially three-dimensional structures, high porosity, and suitable cellular attachment/adhesion still needs to be comprehensively studied. In this context, bacterial cellulose (BC) with high purity, porosity, crystallinity, unique mechanical properties, biocompatibility, high water retention, and excellent elasticity can be considered as promising candidate for cardiovascular TE. However, several challenges/limitations regarding the absence of antimicrobial factors and degradability along with the low yield of production and extensive cultivation times (in large-scale production) still need to be resolved using suitable hybridization/modification strategies and optimization of conditions. The biocompatibility and bioactivity of BC-based materials along with their thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability are crucial aspects in designing TE scaffolds. Herein, cardiovascular TE applications of BC-based materials are deliberated, with a focus on the most recent advancements, important challenges, and future perspectives. Other biomaterials with cardiovascular TE applications and important roles of green nanotechnology in this field of science are covered to better compare and comprehensively review the subject. The application of BC-based materials and the collective roles of such biomaterials in the assembly of sustainable and natural-based scaffolds for cardiovascular TE are discussed.

Biomineralization in Three-Dimensional Scaffolds Based on Bacterial Nanocellulose for Bone Tissue Engineering: Feature Characterization and Stem Cell Differentiation

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has a negative surface charge in physiological environments, which allows the adsorption of calcium ions to initiate the nucleation of different calcium phosphate phases. The aim of this study was to investigate different methods of mineralization in three-dimensional microporous bacterial nanocellulose with the intention of mimicking the composition, structure, and biomechanical properties of natural bone. To generate the 3D microporous biomaterial, porogen particles were incorporated during BNC fermentation with the Komagataeibacter medellinensis strain. Calcium phosphates (CPs) were deposited onto the BNC scaffolds in five immersion cycles, alternating between calcium and phosphate salts in their insoluble forms. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the scaffolds had different pore sizes (between 70 and 350 µm), and their porous interconnectivity was affected by the biomineralization method and time. The crystals on the BNC surface were shown to be rod-shaped, with a calcium phosphate ratio similar to that of immature bone, increasing from 1.13 to 1.6 with increasing cycle numbers. These crystals also increased in size with an increasing number of cycles, going from 25.12 to 35.9 nm. The main mineral phase observed with X-ray diffraction was octacalcium dihydrogen hexakis phosphate (V) pentahydrate (OCP). In vitro studies showed good cellular adhesion and high cell viability (up to 95%) with all the scaffolds. The osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the scaffolds was evaluated using bone expression markers, including alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and osteopontin. In conclusion, it is possible to prepare 3D BNC scaffolds with controlled microporosity that allow osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.

Reprocessing of side-streams towards obtaining valuable bacterial metabolites

Every year, all over the world, the industry generates huge amounts of residues. Side-streams are most often used as feed, landfilled, incinerated, or discharged into sewage. These disposal methods are far from perfect. Taking into account the composition of the side-streams, it seems that they should be used as raw materials for further processing, in accordance with the zero-waste policy and sustainable development. The article describes the latest achievements in biotechnology in the context of bacterial reprocessing of residues with the simultaneous acquisition of their metabolites. The article focuses on four metabolites - bacterial cellulose, propionic acid, vitamin B12 and PHAs. Taking into account global trends (e.g. food, packaging, medicine), it seems that in the near future there will be a sharp increase in demand for this type of compounds. In order for their production to be profitable and commercialised, cheap methods of its obtaining must be developed. The article, in addition to obtaining these bacterial metabolites from side-streams, also discusses e.g. factors affecting their production, metabolic pathways and potential and current applications. The presented chapters provide a complete overview of the current knowledge on above metabolites, which can be helpful for the academic and scientific communities and the several industries. KEY POINTS: • The industry generates millions of tons of organic side-streams each year. • Generated residues burden the natural environment. • A good and cost-effective method of side-streams management seems to be biotechnology - reprocessing with the use of bacteria. • Biotechnological disposal of side-streams gives the opportunity to obtain valuable compounds in cheaper ways: BC, PA, vitmain B12, PHAs.

Development of low-cost bacterial cellulose-pomegranate peel extract-based antibacterial composite for potential biomedical applications

This study was aimed to develop low-cost bacterial cellulose (BC)-based antibacterial composite with pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract (PGPE) for potential biomedical applications. BC was cost-effectively produced by utilizing food wastes, and PGPE was ex situ impregnated into its hydrogel. Field-emission scanning electron microscopic (FE-SEM) observation showed a nanofibrous and microporous morphology of pristine BC and confirmed the development of BC-PGPE composite. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the chemical interaction of PGPE with BC nanofibers. BC-PGPE composite held 97 % water of its dry weight and retained it for more than 48 h. The BC-PGPE composite exhibited better reswelling capabilities than pristine BC after three consecutive re-wetting cycles. The antibacterial activity of the BC-PGPE composite was determined via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), disc diffusion, and plate count methods. The PGPE extract showed good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), both in the form of extract and composite with BC, with relatively better activity against the former. The BC-PGPE composite produced a 17 mm zone of inhibition against S. aureus, while no inhibition zone was formed against E. coli. Furthermore, BC-PGPE composite caused a 100 % and 50 % reduction in the growth of S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The findings of this study indicate that BC-PGPE composite could be a promising antibacterial wound dressing material.

Nanocellulose-gellan cross-linked scaffolds for vaginal delivery of fluconazole

The objective of this research is to formulate lyophilized fluconazole-loaded nanocellulose-gellan scaffolds cross-linked using trisodium trimetaphosphate as a vaginal drug delivery system. The effect of polymers (nanocellulose and gellan gum) and cross-linking agents on drug release and mucoadhesive strength were determined by approaching a two-factor three-level central composite experimental design. The optimal formulation of the fluconazole-loaded cross-linked rice or wheat nanocellulose-gellan based scaffolds comprised of the concentration of polymers (4.91 % w/v or 4.99 % w/v) and trisodium trimetaphosphate (16.43 % w/v or 15.83 % w/v), respectively. The infrared spectra confirmed the cross-linking of nanocellulose and gellan gum while the thermal graph revealed the higher thermal stability of cross-linked scaffolds. The diffractogram of the scaffolds unveiled their amorphous nature while the electron micrographs depict the porous nature of the fluconazole-loaded nanocellulose-gellan scaffolds. The phosphorylated cross-linked nanocellulose-gellan scaffolds represent more swelling (8-fold higher), porosity (>83 %), tensile strength (>34 MPa), and mucoadhesive strength (>1940 mN), and less enzymatic degradation rate over the non cross-linked scaffolds. The optimal batch of cross-linked nanocellulose-gellan scaffolds provided a sustained release of 99 % of fluconazole over 24 h with 1.19-fold higher ex-vivo vaginal permeation over the native scaffolds. In addition, the phosphorylated nanocellulose-gellan based scaffolds exhibit improved antifungal activity and non-cytotoxicity.

Magnetic Bacterial Cellulose Biopolymers: Production and Potential Applications in the Electronics Sector

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer that has been widely investigated due to its useful characteristics, such as nanometric structure, simple production and biocompatibility, enabling the creation of novel materials made from additive BC in situ and/or ex situ. The literature also describes the magnetization of BC biopolymers by the addition of particles such as magnetite and ferrites. The processing of BC with these materials can be performed in different ways to adapt to the availability of materials and the objectives of a given application. There is considerable interest in the electronics field for novel materials and devices as well as non-polluting, sustainable solutions. This sector influences the development of others, including the production and optimization of new equipment, medical devices, sensors, transformers and motors. Thus, magnetic BC has considerable potential in applied research, such as the production of materials for biotechnological electronic devices. Magnetic BC also enables a reduction in the use of polluting materials commonly found in electronic devices. This review article highlights the production of this biomaterial and its applications in the field of electronics.

The State of the Art of Natural Polymer Functionalized Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticle Composites for Drug Delivery Applications: A Review

Natural polymers have received a great deal of interest for their potential use in the encapsulation and transportation of pharmaceuticals and other bioactive compounds for disease treatment. In this perspective, the drug delivery systems (DDS) constructed by representative natural polymers from animals (gelatin and hyaluronic acid), plants (pectin and starch), and microbes (Xanthan gum and Dextran) are provided. In order to enhance the efficiency of polymers in DDS by delivering the medicine to the right location, reducing the medication's adverse effects on neighboring organs or tissues, and controlling the medication's release to stop the cycle of over- and under-dosing, the incorporation of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with the polymers has engaged the most consideration due to their rare characteristics, such as easy separation, superparamagnetism, and high surface area. This review is designed to report the recent progress of natural polymeric Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles in drug delivery applications, based on different polymers' origins.

Bacterial nanocellulose production using Cantaloupe juice, statistical optimization and characterization

The bacterial nanocellulose has been used in a wide range of biomedical applications including carriers for drug delivery, blood vessels, artificial skin and wound dressing. The total of ten morphologically different bacterial strains were screened for their potential to produce bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). Among these isolates, Bacillus sp. strain SEE-3 exhibited potent ability to produce the bacterial nanocellulose. The crystallinity, particle size and morphology of the purified biosynthesized nanocellulose were characterized. The cellulose nanofibers possess a negatively charged surface of - 14.7 mV. The SEM images of the bacterial nanocellulose confirms the formation of fiber-shaped particles with diameters of 20.12‒47.36 nm. The TEM images show needle-shaped particles with diameters of 30‒40 nm and lengths of 560‒1400 nm. X-ray diffraction show that the obtained bacterial nanocellulose has crystallinity degree value of 79.58%. FTIR spectra revealed the characteristic bands of the cellulose crystalline structure. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed high thermal stability. Optimization of the bacterial nanocellulose production was achieved using Plackett-Burman and face centered central composite designs. Using the desirability function, the optimum conditions for maximum bacterial nanocellulose production was determined theoretically and verified experimentally. Maximum BNC production (20.31 g/L) by Bacillus sp. strain SEE-3 was obtained using medium volume; 100 mL/250 mL conical flask, inoculum size; 5%, v/v, citric acid; 1.5 g/L, yeast extract; 5 g/L, temperature; 37 °C, Na₂HPO₄; 3 g/L, an initial pH level of 5, Cantaloupe juice concentration of 81.27 percent and peptone 11.22 g/L.

Cost-Effective Synthesis of Bacterial Cellulose and Its Applications in the Food and Environmental Sectors

Bacterial cellulose (BC), also termed bio-cellulose, has been recognized as a biomaterial of vital importance, thanks to its impressive structural features, diverse synthesis routes, high thermomechanical properties, and its ability to combine with multiple additives to form composites for a wide range of applications in diversified areas. Its purity, nontoxicity, and better physico-mechanical features than plant cellulose (PC) make it a better choice for biological applications. However, a major issue with the use of BC instead of PC for various applications is its high production costs, mainly caused by the use of expensive components in the chemically defined media, such as Hestrin-Schramm (HS) medium. Furthermore, the low yield of BC-producing bacteria indirectly accounts for the high cost of BC-based products. Over the last couple of decades, extensive efforts have been devoted to the exploration of low-cost carbon sources for BC production, besides identifying efficient bacterial strains as well as developing engineered strains, developing advanced reactors, and optimizing the culturing conditions for the high yield and productivity of BC, with the aim to minimize its production cost. Considering the applications, BC has attracted attention in highly diversified areas, such as medical, pharmaceutics, textile, cosmetics, food, environmental, and industrial sectors. This review is focused on overviewing the cost-effective synthesis routes for BC production, along with its noteworthy applications in the food and environmental sectors. We have made a comprehensive review of recent papers regarding the cost-effective production and applications of BC in the food and environmental sectors. This review provides the basic knowledge and understanding for cost-effective and scaleup of BC production by discussing the techno-economic analysis of BC production, BC market, and commercialization of BC products. It explores BC applications as food additives as its functionalization to minimize different environmental hazards, such as air contaminants and water pollutants.

De novo strategy with engineering a multifunctional bacterial cellulose-based dressing for rapid healing of infected wounds

The treatment and healing of infected skin lesions is one of the major challenges in surgery. To solve this problem, collagen I (Col-I) and the antibacterial agent hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) were composited into the bacterial cellulose (BC) three-dimensional network structure by a novel membrane–liquid interface (MLI) culture, and a Col-I/HACC/BC (CHBC) multifunctional dressing was designed. The water absorption rate and water vapor transmission rate of the obtained CHBC dressing were 35.78 ± 2.45 g/g and 3084 ± 56 g m⁻²·day⁻¹, respectively. The water retention of the CHBC dressing was significantly improved compared with the BC caused by the introduced Col-I and HACC. In vitro results indicated that the combined advantages of HACC and Col-I confer on CHBC dressings not only have outstanding antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) compared with BC and CBC, but also exhibit better cytocompatibility than BC and HBC to promote the proliferation and spread of NIH3T3 cells and HUVECs. Most importantly, the results of in vivo animal tests demonstrated that the CHBC dressings fully promoted wound healing for 8 days and exhibited shorter healing times, especially in the case of wound infection. Excellent skin regeneration effects and higher expression levels of collagen during infection were also shown in the CHBC group. We believe that CHBC composites with favorable multifunctionality have potential applications as wound dressings to treat infected wounds.

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The antibacterial agent HACC and collagen I were introduced into BC structure by a novel membrane–liquid interface culture.

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CHBC dressing has favorable thermostability, water absorption, water retention rate and WVTRs.

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CHBC dressing has outstanding antibacterial properties against S. aureus.

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CHBC dressing promoted the proliferation and spread of NIH3T3 cells and HUVECs.

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CHBC dressing prevented wound infection caused by S. aureus and accelerated wound healing.

Nutritional Supplementation with Amino Acids on Bacterial Cellulose Production by Komagataeibacter intermedius: Effect Analysis and Application of Response Surface Methodology

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer mainly produced by acetic acid bacteria (AAB) that has several applications in the medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. As other living organisms, AAB require sources of chemical elements and nutrients, which are essential for their multiplication and metabolite production. So, the knowledge of the nutritional needs of microorganisms that have important industrial applications is necessary for the nutrients to be supplied in the appropriate form and amount. Considering that the choice of different nutrients as nitrogen source can result in different metabolic effects, this work aimed to verify the effects of amino acid supplementation in the culture media for BC production by an AAB strain (Komagataeibacter intermedius V-05). For this, nineteen amino acids were tested, selected, and optimized through a Plackett and Burman factorial design and central composite design to determine the optimal concentrations of each required amino acid. Membranes produced under optimal conditions were characterized in relation to chemical structure and properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and hydrophilic properties. Three amino acids had a significant positive effect and were required: aspartic acid (1.5 g L^-1), phenylalanine (1.5 g L^-1), and serine (3.0 g L^-1). Conversely, all sulfur and positively charged amino acids had a negative effect and reduced the production yield. After optimization and validation steps, a production level of 3.02 g L^-1 was achieved. Membranes produced from optimized media by this strain presented lower crystallinity index but greater thermal and hydrophilic properties than those produced from standard HS medium.

A Review of Recent Advances in Natural Polymer-Based Scaffolds for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering

The musculoskeletal (MS) system consists of bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, and skeletal muscle, which forms the basic framework of the human body. This system plays a vital role in appropriate body functions, including movement, the protection of internal organs, support, hematopoiesis, and postural stability. Therefore, it is understandable that the damage or loss of MS tissues significantly reduces the quality of life and limits mobility. Tissue engineering and its applications in the healthcare industry have been rapidly growing over the past few decades. Tissue engineering has made significant contributions toward developing new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of MS defects and relevant disease. Among various biomaterials used for tissue engineering, natural polymers offer superior properties that promote optimal cell interaction and desired biological function. Natural polymers have similarity with the native ECM, including enzymatic degradation, bio-resorb and non-toxic degradation products, ability to conjugate with various agents, and high chemical versatility, biocompatibility, and bioactivity that promote optimal cell interaction and desired biological functions. This review summarizes recent advances in applying natural-based scaffolds for musculoskeletal tissue engineering.

Bacterial Cellulose and ECM Hydrogels: An Innovative Approach for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine

Cardiovascular diseases are considered the leading cause of death in the world, accounting for approximately 85% of sudden death cases. In dogs and cats, sudden cardiac death occurs commonly, despite the scarcity of available pathophysiological and prevalence data. Conventional treatments are not able to treat injured myocardium. Despite advances in cardiac therapy in recent decades, transplantation remains the gold standard treatment for most heart diseases in humans. In veterinary medicine, therapy seeks to control clinical signs, delay the evolution of the disease and provide a better quality of life, although transplantation is the ideal treatment. Both human and veterinary medicine face major challenges regarding the transplantation process, although each area presents different realities. In this context, it is necessary to search for alternative methods that overcome the recovery deficiency of injured myocardial tissue. Application of biomaterials is one of the most innovative treatments for heart regeneration, involving the use of hydrogels from decellularized extracellular matrix, and their association with nanomaterials, such as alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid and gelatin. A promising material is bacterial cellulose hydrogel, due to its nanostructure and morphology being similar to collagen. Cellulose provides support and immobilization of cells, which can result in better cell adhesion, growth and proliferation, making it a safe and innovative material for cardiovascular repair.

Highly antimicrobial and strong cellulose-based biocomposite film prepared with bacterial cellulose powders, Uncaria gambir, and ultrasonication treatment

This work characterized bacterial cellulose (BC)/Uncaria gambir (G) biocomposite film prepared with ultrasonication treatment. Films were prepared from BC powder suspensions in distilled water without and with various loadings (0.05 g, 0.1 g, 0.2 g, 2 g) of G powder then treated using an ultrasonic probe at 1000 W for one hour. The results revealed that the ultrasonication treatment of the suspension greatly increased tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB), and toughness (TN) of a BC film by 3097%, 644%, and 32,600%, respectively, compared to non-sonicated BC film. After adding 0.05 g G into the sonicated BC powder suspension, TS, EB, and TN of the biocomposite film were improved to 105.6 MPa, 14.3%, and 8.7 MJ/m³, respectively. The addition of the G increased in antimicrobial activity of the film. This study indicates that biocomposite film is potentially useful for nanopaper production with good antimicrobial and high tensile properties.

Nanocellulose, a versatile platform: From the delivery of active molecules to tissue engineering applications

Nanocellulose, a biopolymer, has received wide attention from researchers owing to its superior physicochemical properties, such as high mechanical strength, low density, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Nanocellulose can be extracted from wide range of sources, including plants, bacteria, and algae. Depending on the extraction process and dimensions (diameter and length), they are categorized into three main types: cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). CNCs are a highly crystalline and needle-like structure, whereas CNFs have both amorphous and crystalline regions in their network. BNC is the purest form of nanocellulose. The nanocellulose properties can be tuned by chemical functionalization, which increases its applicability in biomedical applications. This review highlights the fabrication of different surface-modified nanocellulose to deliver active molecules, such as drugs, proteins, and plasmids. Nanocellulose-mediated delivery of active molecules is profoundly affected by its topographical structure and the interaction between the loaded molecules and nanocellulose. The applications of nanocellulose and its composites in tissue engineering have been discussed. Finally, the review is concluded with further opportunities and challenges in nanocellulose-mediated delivery of active molecules.

Preparation, Characterization, and Biological Features of Cactus Coated Bacterial Cellulose Hydrogels

The current study was aimed at developing BC-Cactus (BCC) composite hydrogels with impressive mechanical features for their potential applications in medical and environmental sectors. BCC composites hydrogels were developed through cactus gel coating on a never dried BC matrix. The FE-SEM micrographs confirmed the saturation of BC fibrils with cactus gel. Additionally, the presence of various functional groups and alteration in crystalline behavior was confirmed through FTIR and XRD analysis. Mechanical testing illustrated a three-times increase in the strain failure and an increase of 1.6 times in the tensile strength of BCC composite. Absorption capabilities of BCC were much higher than pure BC and it retained water for a longer period of time. Additionally, the rewetting and absorption potentials of composites were also higher than pure BC. The composite efficiently adsorbed Pb, Zn, Cu, and Co metals. Biocompatibility studies against human HaCat cell line indicated much better cell adhesion and proliferation of BCC compared to BC. These findings advocate that the BCC composite could find applications in medical, pharmaceutical and environmental fields.

Bacterial cellulose and its potential for biomedical applications

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an important polysaccharide synthesized by some bacterial species under specific culture conditions, which presents several remarkable features such as microporosity, high water holding capacity, good mechanical properties and good biocompatibility, making it a potential biomaterial for medical applications. Since its discovery, BC has been used for wound dressing, drug delivery, artificial blood vessels, bone tissue engineering, and so forth. Additionally, BC can be simply manipulated to form its derivatives or composites with enhanced physicochemical and functional properties. Several polymers, carbon-based nanomaterials, and metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been introduced into BC by ex situ and in situ methods to design hybrid materials with enhanced functional properties. This review provides comprehensive knowledge and highlights recent advances in BC production strategies, its structural features, various in situ and ex situ modification techniques, and its potential for biomedical applications.

Recent Advances in Cellulose-Based Structures as the Wound-Healing Biomaterials: A Clinically Oriented Review

Application of wound-healing/dressing biomaterials is amongst the most promising approaches for wound repair through protection from pathogen invasion/contamination, maintaining moisture, absorbing exudates, modulating inflammation, and facilitating the healing process. A wide range of materials are used to fabricate wound-healing/dressing biomaterials. Active wound-healing/dressings are next-generation alternatives for passive biomaterials, which provide a physical barrier and induce different biological activities, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, and proliferative effects. Cellulose-based biomaterials are particularly promising due to their tunable physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties, accessibility, low cost, and biocompatibility. A thorough description and analysis of wound-healing/dressing structures fabricated from cellulose-based biomaterials is discussed in this review. We emphasize and highlight the fabrication methods, applied bioactive molecules, and discuss the obtained results from in vitro and in vivo models of cellulose-based wound-healing biomaterials. This review paper revealed that cellulose-based biomaterials have promising potential as the wound-dressing/healing materials and can be integrated with various bioactive agents. Overall, cellulose-based biomaterials are shown to be effective and sophisticated structures for delivery applications, safe and multi-customizable dressings, or grafts for wound-healing applications.

Nanocellulose-Based Scaffolds for Chondrogenic Differentiation and Expansion

Nanocellulose deserves special attention among the large group of biocompatible biomaterials. It exhibits good mechanical properties, which qualifies it for potential use as a scaffold imitating cartilage. However, the reconstruction of cartilage is a big challenge due to this tissue's limited regenerative capacity resulting from its lack of vascularization, innervations, and sparsely distributed chondrocytes. This feature restricts the infiltration of progenitor cells into damaged sites. Unfortunately, differentiated chondrocytes are challenging to obtain, and mesenchymal stem cells have become an alternative approach to promote chondrogenesis. Importantly, nanocellulose scaffolds induce the differentiation of stem cells into chondrocyte phenotypes. In this review, we present the recent progress of nanocellulose-based scaffolds promoting the development of cartilage tissue, especially within the emphasis on chondrogenic differentiation and expansion.

Hard magnetic membrane based on bacterial cellulose - Barium ferrite nanocomposites

Magnetic membranes based on bacterial cellulose (BC) nanocomposites have been extensively researched. However, most magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated in the BC matrix were focused on soft magnetic phases, which limited the extensive use of magnetic BC membranes. Therefore, this work proposes a method to fabricate hard magnetic membrane based on the BC matrix and magnetically hard phase barium ferrite (BFO) NPs. The nanocomposites showed the peaked tensile strength and modulus at the low concentration of BFO whereas the magnetization increased drastically with the BFO content. They also demonstrate the high flexibility up on bending and the sensitivity to external magnetic fields. Furthermore, unlike other magnetic BC membranes, the BC/BFO nanocomposites exhibited the hard magnetic properties, i.e. they could retain their magnetic attraction after being magnetized by a permanent magnet. These properties open the possibility to employ these materials in various fields, such as information storage, anti-couterfeit or electromagnetic shieldings.

Cellulose-Based Fibrous Materials From Bacteria to Repair Tympanic Membrane Perforations

Perforation is the most common illness of the tympanic membrane (TM), which is commonly treated with surgical procedures. The success rate of the treatment could be improved by novel bioengineering approaches. In fact, a successful restoration of a damaged TM needs a supporting biomaterial or scaffold able to meet mechano-acoustic properties similar to those of the native TM, along with optimal biocompatibility. Traditionally, a large number of biological-based materials, including paper, silk, Gelfoam®, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and chitosan, have been used for TM repair. A novel biopolymer with promising features for tissue engineering applications is cellulose. It is a highly biocompatible, mechanically and chemically strong polysaccharide, abundant in the environment, with the ability to promote cellular growth and differentiation. Bacterial cellulose (BC), in particular, is produced by microorganisms as a nanofibrous three-dimensional structure of highly pure cellulose, which has thus become a popular graft material for wound healing due to a number of remarkable properties, such as water retention, elasticity, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and transparency. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current experimental studies of BC, focusing on the application of BC patches in the treatment of TM perforations. In addition, computational approaches to model cellulose and TM are summarized, with the aim to synergize the available tools toward the best design and exploitation of BC patches and scaffolds for TM repair and regeneration.

Production of Bacterial Cellulose from Acetobacter Species and Its Applications – A Review

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a natural polymer secreted as a protective cell covering of certain bacterial species. In contrary to plant cellulose, BC possesses some unique features like high moisture-holding capacity, high durability, high liquid absorbing capabilities, biostability, and biodegradability, makes BC an excellent raw material in wide-ranging areas like biomedical, food, agriculture, paper, textile industries and electronics. The main objective of this review is to discuss various aspects of BC production (different sources for bacterial strain isolation, culture media and, its alternatives also major culture techniques). In addition, various applications of BC are also reviewed.

Recent advances in the production of biomedical systems based on polyhydroxyalkanoates and exopolysaccharides

In recent years, growing attention has been devoted to naturally occurring biological macromolecules and their ensuing application in agriculture, cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical industries. They inherently have antigenicity, low immunogenicity, excellent biocompatibility and cytocompatibility, which are ideal properties for the design of biomedical devices, especially for the controlled delivery of active ingredients in the most diverse contexts. Furthermore, these properties can be modulated by chemical modification via the incorporation of other (macro)molecules in a random or controlled way, aiming at improving their functionality for each specific application. Among the wide variety of natural polymers, microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and exopolysaccharides (EPS) are often considered for the development of original biomaterials due to their unique physicochemical and biological features. Here, we aim to fullfil a gap on the present associated literature, bringing an up-to-date overview of ongoing research strategies that make use of PHAs (poly (3-hydroxybutyrate), poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), poly (3-hydroxyoctanoate), poly(3-hydroxypropionate), poly (3-hydroxyhexanoate-co-3-hydroxyoctanoate), and poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)) and EPS (bacterial cellulose, alginates, curdlan, pullulan, xanthan gum, dextran, hyaluronan, and schizophyllan) as sources of interesting and versatile biomaterials. For the first time, a monograph addressing the properties, pros and cons, status, challenges, and recent progresses regarding the application of these two important classes of biopolymers in biomedicine is presented.

Perspective Applications and Associated Challenges of Using Nanocellulose in Treating Bone-Related Diseases

Bone serves to maintain the shape of the human body due to its hard and solid nature. A loss or weakening of bone tissues, such as in case of traumatic injury, diseases (e.g., osteosarcoma), or old age, adversely affects the individuals quality of life. Although bone has the innate ability to remodel and regenerate in case of small damage or a crack, a loss of a large volume of bone in case of a traumatic injury requires the restoration of bone function by adopting different biophysical approaches and chemotherapies as well as a surgical reconstruction. Compared to the biophysical and chemotherapeutic approaches, which may cause complications and bear side effects, the surgical reconstruction involves the implantation of external materials such as ceramics, metals, and different other materials as bone substitutes. Compared to the synthetic substitutes, the use of biomaterials could be an ideal choice for bone regeneration owing to their renewability, non-toxicity, and non-immunogenicity. Among the different types of biomaterials, nanocellulose-based materials are receiving tremendous attention in the medical field during recent years, which are used for scaffolding as well as regeneration. Nanocellulose not only serves as the matrix for the deposition of bioceramics, metallic nanoparticles, polymers, and different other materials to develop bone substitutes but also serves as the drug carrier for treating osteosarcomas. This review describes the natural sources and production of nanocellulose and discusses its important properties to justify its suitability in developing scaffolds for bone and cartilage regeneration and serve as the matrix for reinforcement of different materials and as a drug carrier for treating osteosarcomas. It discusses the potential health risks, immunogenicity, and biodegradation of nanocellulose in the human body.

Cellulose supported magnetic nanohybrids: Synthesis, physicomagnetic properties and biomedical applications-A review

Cellulose and its forms are widely used in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and lack of cytotoxicity. It provides ample opportunities for the functionalization of supported magnetic nanohybrids (CSMNs). Because of the abundance of surface hydroxyl groups, they are surface tunable in either homogeneous or heterogeneous solvents and thus act as a substrate or template for the CSMNs' development. The present review emphasizes on the synthesis of various CSMNs, their physicomagnetic properties, and potential applications such as stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, MRI, enzyme encapsulation, nucleic acid extraction, wound healing and tissue engineering. The impact of CSMNs on cytotoxicity, magnetic hyperthermia, and folate-conjugates is highlighted in particular, based on their structures, cell viability, and stability. Finally, the review also discussed the challenges and prospects of CSMNs' development. This review is expected to provide CSMNs' development roadmap in the context of 21st-century demands for biomedical therapeutics.

Characterizing Bacterial Cellulose Produced byKomagataeibacter sucrofermentans H-110 on Molasses Medium and Obtaining a Biocomposite Based on It for the Adsorption of Fluoride

Currently, there is an increased demand for biodegradable materials in society due to growing environmental problems. Special attention is paid to bacterial cellulose, which, due to its unique properties, has great prospects for obtaining functional materials for a wide range of applications, including adsorbents. In this regard, the aim of this study was to obtain a biocomposite material with adsorption properties in relation to fluoride ions based on bacterial cellulose using a highly productive strain of Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans H-110 on molasses medium. Films of bacterial cellulose were obtained. Their structure and properties were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy, NMR, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray structural analysis. The results show that the fiber thickness of the bacterial cellulose formed by the K. sucrofermentans H-110 strain on molasses medium was 60–90 nm. The degree of crystallinity of bacterial cellulose formed on the medium was higher than on standard Hestrin and Schramm medium and amounted to 83.02%. A new biocomposite material was obtained based on bacterial cellulose chemically immobilized on its surface using atomic-layer deposition of nanosized aluminum oxide films. The composite material has high sorption ability to remove fluoride ions from an aqueous medium. The maximum adsorption capacity of the composite is 80.1 mg/g (F/composite). The obtained composite material has the highest adsorption capacity of fluoride from water in comparison with other sorbents. The results prove the potential of bacterial cellulose-based biocomposites as highly effective sorbents for fluoride.

Recent Developments of Carboxymethyl Cellulose

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is one of the most promising cellulose derivatives. Due to its characteristic surface properties, mechanical strength, tunable hydrophilicity, viscous properties, availability and abundance of raw materials, low-cost synthesis process, and likewise many contrasting aspects, it is now widely used in various advanced application fields, for example, food, paper, textile, and pharmaceutical industries, biomedical engineering, wastewater treatment, energy production, and storage energy production, and storage and so on. Many research articles have been reported on CMC, depending on their sources and application fields. Thus, a comprehensive and well-organized review is in great demand that can provide an up-to-date and in-depth review on CMC. Herein, this review aims to provide compact information of the synthesis to the advanced applications of this material in various fields. Finally, this article covers the insights of future CMC research that could guide researchers working in this prominent field.

Recent Developments in Nanocellulose-Based Aerogels in Thermal Applications: A Review

Naturally derived nanocellulose (NC) is a renewable, biodegradable nanomaterial with high strength, low density, high surface area, and tunable surface chemistry, which allows its interaction with other polymers and nanomaterials in a controlled manner. In recent years, NC aerogel has gathered a lot of attention due to environmental concerns. This review presents recent developments of NC-based aerogels and their controlled interactions with other polymers and nanomaterials for thermal applications that include electronic devices, the apparel industry, superinsulating materials, and flame-retardant smart building materials. After going through the distinctive properties of NC aerogels, they are orderly categorized and discussed as thermally insulated, thermally conductive, and flame-retardant materials.

Hemostatic Dressings Made of Oxidized Bacterial Nanocellulose Membranes

Surgicel® (regenerated oxidized cellulose) is a bio-absorbable hemostatic material widely applied to prevent surgery-derived adhesions. Some critical issues have been reported associated with this biomaterial, which we aimed to overcome by producing bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) membranes with hemostatic activity, through electrochemical oxidation using the tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) radical. Samples were characterized by FTIR, NMR, SEM, XRD and their degree of polymerization. The oxidation degree was evaluated by titration of the carboxyl groups and the hemostatic behavior by whole-blood-clotting assays. In vitro and in vivo biodegradability of oxidized BNC membranes were evaluated and compared with that of Surgicel®. The oxidation degree increased from 4% to 7% and up to 15%, corresponding to an applied charge of 400, 700 and 1200 Coulombs, respectively. The oxidized BNC preserved the crystallinity and the 3D nano-fibrillar network, and demonstrated hemostatic activity, although not as effective as that of Surgicel®. In vivo assays demonstrated that the oxidized membranes did not induce an inflammatory response, revealing a good biocompatibility. However, non-degraded oxidized BNC was still detected at the implantation site after 56 days.