Recent Advances and Applications of Bacterial Cellulose in Biomedicine

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an extracellular polymer produced by Komagateibacter xylinus, which has been shown to possess a multitude of properties, which makes it innately useful as a next-generation biopolymer. The structure of BC is comprised of glucose monomer units polymerised by cellulose synthase in β-1-4 glucan chains which form uniaxially orientated BC fibril bundles which measure 3–8 nm in diameter. BC is chemically identical to vegetal cellulose. However, when BC is compared with other natural or synthetic analogues, it shows a much higher performance in biomedical applications, potable treatment, nano-filters and functional applications. The main reason for this superiority is due to the high level of chemical purity, nano-fibrillar matrix and crystallinity. Upon using BC as a carrier or scaffold with other materials, unique and novel characteristics can be observed, which are all relatable to the features of BC. These properties, which include high tensile strength, high water holding capabilities and microfibrillar matrices, coupled with the overall physicochemical assets of bacterial cellulose makes it an ideal candidate for further scientific research into biopolymer development. This review thoroughly explores several areas in which BC is being investigated, ranging from biomedical applications to electronic applications, with a focus on the use as a next-generation wound dressing. The purpose of this review is to consolidate and discuss the most recent advancements in the applications of bacterial cellulose, primarily in biomedicine, but also in biotechnology.

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

“…Bacterial cellulose is an extracellular polymer produced by Komagataeibacter xylinus in four allomorphic forms, through the fermentation of sugars ( Swingler et al, 2021 ) ( Figure 1A ). An alteration of culture conditions can induce such microorganisms to fabricate BC in different forms, such as sheets, pellets and films ( Eslahi et al, 2020 ).…”

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

“…In recent years, there has been growing interest in bacterial cellulose (BC) [ 2 ]. There are interesting detailed reviews based on the production, characterization, and applications of BC [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…BC is an ultrafine, nanofibrillar material with an exclusive combination of properties such as high purity, high crystallinity (up to 90%) and polymerization degree [ 7 , 12 , 13 ], high surface area, high flexibility and tensile strength [ 14 , 15 ], and high water-holding capacity (over 100 times its own weight) [ 16 , 17 ]. Due to its high purity, i.e., absence of lignin and hemicellulose, BC is considered to be a non-cytotoxic, non-genotoxic, and highly biocompatible material, attracting interest in diverse areas, particularly in medicine [ 9 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

The Mould War: Developing an Armamentarium against Fungal Pathogens Utilising Thymoquinone, Ocimene, and Miramistin within Bacterial Cellulose Matrices

“…Bacterial cellulose is biosynthesised through the conjugation of linear homopolysaccharides and β-D-glucose units which are linked by 1,4-β-glycosidic linkages [ 1 ]. Once the exopolysaccharides have formed, they then randomly become organised into chains consisting of 10 to 15 individual chains of cellulose, resulting in cellulose nanofibers.…”

“…All of these properties of bacterial cellulose have led to the successful commercialisation of bacterial cellulose hydrogels (e.g., Dermafill ® and Biofill ® ) for the treatment of burns, chronic ulcers, skin lesions, and periodontal disease [ 1 ]. Even though bacterial cellulose is not inherently antimicrobial itself, the unique 3D fibrillar network is highly porous and amenable to high loading with a controlled release of a range of antimicrobial agents, which can be delivered directly to the wound site [ 35 , 36 ].…”