In Situ Bioprocessing of Bacterial Cellulose with Graphene: Percolation Network Formation, Kinetic Analysis with Physicochemical and Structural Properties Assessment

Abstract

The understanding of microbial growth dynamics during in situ fermentation and production of bacterial cellulose (BC) with impressive properties mimicking artificial nacre, suitable for commodity applications remains fundamentally challenging. Fabrication of BC/graphene films through a single step in situ fermentation with improved properties provides a sustainable replacement to the conventional chemical-based modification using toxic compounds. This work reports the effect of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on in situ fermentation kinetics and demonstrates the formation of percolated-network in BC/RGO nanostructures. The evaluation of kinetic parameters shows that the specific growth rate reaches optimal values at 3 wt % RGO loadings, with mixed growth associated BC production behavior. The two-dimensional graphene sheets uniformly dispersed into a three-dimensional matrix of BC nanofibers via hydrogen-bonded interactions along with in situ reductions of RGO sheets, as confirmed from spectroscopic studies. This study also demonstrates the presence of percolated network-like structures between BC fibers and RGO platelets, which resulted in the formation of nanostructures with exceptional mechanical robustness and electrical conductivity. The physicochemical and structural properties of fabricated BC/RGO films were found to significantly depend upon the RGO compositions as well as fermentation conditions. We envision that the proposed ecofriendly and scalable technology for the formation of BC/RGO films with excellent inherent properties and performance will attract great interest for its prospective applications in flexible electronics.

Effect of Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles Impregnated Bacterial Cellulose on Overall Properties of Alginate/Casein Hydrogels: Potential Injectable Biomaterial for Wound Healing Applications

“…BCF was synthesized by slight variation of a procedure described elsewhere [ 24 ]. First, 250 mL glass bottles containing 100 mL Hestrin–Schramm (HS) media were inoculated with 5 mL of G. xylinus 3611 T enriched in HS medium for 2 days at 30 °C.…”

“…To address this issue, in-situ BC modification has been developed as a single-step approach that involves BC fermentation in the presence of nanoparticles (NPs). Various NPs have been added during BC production, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, talc, CaCO3, iron-oxide and so on [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. To the best of our knowledge, studies considering utilization of bacterial cellulose impregnated with iron-oxide nanoparticles for fabrication of magnetic injectable hydrogels have not been investigated until now.…”

Hybrid bacterial cellulose‐collagen membranes production in culture media enriched with antioxidant compounds from plant extracts

“…BC properties include high purity (absence of hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin), high degree of polymerization, macromolecular properties, high porosity, high water absorption capacity, differentiated mechanical properties, high crystallinity, good moldability, and biocompatibility. [ 7‐10 ]…”

“…[3][4][5][6] BC properties include high purity (absence of hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin), high degree of polymerization, macromolecular properties, high porosity, high water absorption capacity, differentiated mechanical properties, high crystallinity, good moldability, and biocompatibility. [7][8][9][10] When BC is modified through the incorporation of other components such as active compounds and/or bioactive compounds, new properties result, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, among others. In addition, these modifications can improve structural characteristics and biocompatible activity.…”

“…In addition, these modifications can improve structural characteristics and biocompatible activity. [11] Researchers such as Chen et al, [9] Dhar et al, [10] Ghasemi et al, [12] and Molina-Ramírez et al [13] explored the addition of different bioactive compounds, nanocomposites, or alternative energy sources for the production of BCs by the in situ fermentation method. The in situ modification of BC occurs during fermentation by adding exogenous molecules as natural or synthetic additives, as well as reinforcement materials to the culture.…”