Bacterial Cellulose-Based Blends and Composites: Versatile Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Cellulose of bacterial origin, known as bacterial cellulose (BC), is one of the most versatile biomaterials that has a huge potential in tissue engineering due to its favourable mechanical properties, high hydrophilicity, crystallinity, and purity. Additional properties such as porous nano-fibrillar 3D structure and a high degree of polymerisation of BC mimic the properties of the native extracellular matrix (ECM), making it an excellent material for the fabrication of composite scaffolds suitable for cell growth and tissue development. Recently, the fabrication of BC-based scaffolds, including composites and blends with nanomaterials, and other biocompatible polymers has received particular attention owing to their desirable properties for tissue engineering. These have proven to be promising advanced materials in hard and soft tissue engineering. This review presents the latest state-of-the-art modified/functionalised BC-based composites and blends as advanced materials in tissue engineering. Their applicability as an ideal biomaterial in targeted tissue repair including bone, cartilage, vascular, skin, nerve, and cardiac tissue has been discussed. Additionally, this review briefly summarises the latest updates on the production strategies and characterisation of BC and its composites and blends. Finally, the challenges in the future development and the direction of future research are also discussed.

Bacterial cellulose: A comprehensive review

“…On their website, 216 it seems to be only available in Brazil. 19,25,[217][218][219] KKF polymers is a company who was previously named Jenpolymer as a start-up. The company was founded from a group of more than 60 Ph.D. from the University of Jena, Germany.…”

“…Another company that is well present in review articles for BC used in the medical industry is a company named Xylos Corporation located in Langhorne, United States. 19,25,217,218,226 Their wound dressing XCell has been clinically studied regarding its ability to autolytically remove non-viable tissue and create a healthy wound bed. 227 In a review by Ludwicka et al, the authors mention XCell was purchased from Xylos Corporation by Lohmann & Rauscher and re-commercialized under the name Suprasorb.…”

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

“…When production is performed statically, the membrane has a flat appearance and takes on the shape of the vessel in which fermentation took place. With dynamic production, the final product looks like pearls/pellets or dispersed fibres [ 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

In Vitro Neurotrophic Properties and Structural Characterization of a New Polysaccharide LTC-1 from Pyrola corbieri Levl (Luticao)

“…When degraded before arriving at the action sites, only trace amounts of this kind of protein are in effect. Recently, apart from some molecules [ 8 , 9 ], it was reported that polysaccharides have neurotrophic factor-like effects, and a variety of natural polysaccharides, including MAPs from Opuntia Milpa Alta [ 10 ], polysaccharides from Rosa roxburghii [ 11 ], GLPS from Ganoderma lucidum and fucoid from brown seaweeds, were reported to exhibit neurotrophic or neuroprotective activity [ 12 ]. The neuroprotective effect of polysaccharides has received increasing attention.…”