Regenerated chitin fibers reinforced with bacterial cellulose nanocrystals as suture biomaterials

Abstract

The objective of this work was to prepare a novel filament with good biocompatibility and mechanical performance which can meet the demands of surgical sutures. Bacterial cellulose nanocrystals (BCNCs) were used to reinforce regenerated chitin (RC) fibers to form BCNC/RC filaments. Mechanical performance measurements demonstrated that the strength of the BCNC/RC filament was increased dramatically over the RC analogue. A yarn made of 30 BCNC-loaded fibers also achieved satisfactory mechanical performance, with a knot-pull tensile strength of 9.8±0.6N. Enzymatic degradation studies showed the BCNC/RC materials to have good biodegradability, the rate of which can be tuned by varying the concentration of BCNCs in the yarn. The RC and the BCNC/RC materials had no cytotoxicity and can promote cell proliferation. In vivo experiments on mice demonstrated that suturing with the BCNC/RC yarn can promote wound healing without obvious adverse effects.

Reinforcement of Natural Rubber Latex Using Jute Carboxycellulose Nanofibers Extracted Using Nitro-Oxidation Method

“…A potential reinforcing agent for the latex rubbers is the derivatives of natural cellulose polymers [14][15][16][17][18][19]. These polymers are called carboxycellulose and have been widely used for biomedical applications such as surgical sutures [20][21][22]. Recent developments of carboxycellulose in the nanoscale have further expanded their uses in making strengthened nanocomposite materials [23][24][25].…”

Cellulose Nanocrystals as a Sustainable Raw Material: Cytotoxicity and Applications on Healthcare Technology

“…Concerning the renewable sources of raw materials, there are several possible lignocellulosic materials for the isolation of whiskers: vegetable sources, such as cotton, coconut fiber, corn cobs, pineapple leaves, manioc residues, palm fiber, residual biomass from palm oil extraction, banana fibers, hemp, wood pulp, old newspaper and recycled newsprint, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), bacterial cellulose, the product of which is named bacterial nanocellulose, microbial cellulose or biocellulose, and animal sources, such as tunicates and marine biomass …”

“…The terminal OH groups on CNC provide easy surface modification (i.e., sulfation with sulfuric acid), making the functionalization or bioconjugation easier. This ability results in a rich source of new materials and platforms, such as drug delivery devices, nanofillers, gene vectors, implants, enzyme immobilizations, nucleic acid or peptide carriers, bioimaging, and regenerative medicine . Moreover, the size range of CNC (5–50 × 100–200 nm) and their needle‐shape allows prolonged circulation in the bloodstream and delay the mononuclear phagocytic‐system …”

“…Wu and colleagues recently prepared a biocompatible and strong filament reinforced with bacterial CNCs (BCNCs) and regenerated chitin fibers (RC) for chirurgical sutures application . The BCNC/RC material demonstrated no cytotoxicity and promoted cell proliferation.…”

Improved Cell Viability and Biocompatibility of Bacterial Cellulose through in Situ Carboxymethylation

“…Despite the relevance of BC with carboxymethyl group (CMBC) in this area of research, few studies have assessed its performance as a cell and tissue scaffold. Through direct transformation of BC, some researchers have shown that the introduction of carboxymethyl groups through chemical modification or polysaccharide adsorption could elevate the medical performance of BC, particularly regarding protein absorption and cell adhesion . However, apart from the health‐damaging chemical residues, the cumbersome processing and restrictive reaction conditions also limit the application of these methods.…”