A novel biomaterial: bacterial cellulose and its new era applications

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a promising natural polymer that is produced by bacteria and that has unique and desirable structural, physical, and chemical properties. From the time when the remarkable properties of BC were found 15 years ago compared with plant cellulose, interest has grown in BC and it has become an article of trade in diverse applications. Following this trend, this paper reviews the progress of relevant studies, including general information about cellulose, production by microorganisms as well as BC cultivation, and its properties. The applications reviewed in the present article comprise biological and nonbiological fields. The latest use of BC in the biomedical, environmental, agricultural, electronic, food, and industrial fields is discussed with its applications in composite form. The present article attempts to amass the assorted uses of BC under one umbrella. Thus, recent advances in BC applications in different fields are thoroughly reviewed. This article concludes with the need for future research of BC to make it commercialized as vital biomaterial.

“Deceived” Concentrated Immobilized Cells as Biocatalyst for Intensive Bacterial Cellulose Production from Various Sources

“…Currently, the interest in bacterial cellulose (BC) is increasing because of its possible use in such areas as medicine, food and textile industries, the production of new nanocomposite materials based on it and the solution of environmental problems [1][2][3][4]. First of all, this is due to the fact that BC is nontoxic and biocompatible material with an increased water-holding capacity, high tensile strength, as well as elasticity and porosity [5,6].…”

Synthesis, Chemistry, and Medical Application of Bacterial Cellulose Nanocomposites

“…The exciting structural and physiological features of BC have inspired its applications in a number of fields including food, textiles, paper, and electronics [17,18,43,88]. Currently, the most important applications of BC are presented in the medical field, where BC has been incorporated in wound healing materials, artificial skin, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and artificial blood vessels [35,[89][90][91][92].…”

“…Since its discovery, it has received tremendous fame owing to its impressive physicomechanical properties [18]. Unlike plant cellulose, BC does not contain any impurities like lignin or hemicelluloses.…”

“…Recent research work has been focused on developing artificial blood vessels and organs from BC composites [33,34,35]. Similarly, the inclusion of conductive materials in BC composites has led to the development of optoelectronic devices, displays, biosensors, and many advanced materials [18,21,26].…”

Bacterial cellulose production by Komagataeibacter hansenii using algae-based glucose

“…Bacterial celluloses are of great research interests in many areas including enzyme immobilization, photocatalysis application, biosensor, dye decolorization, heavy metal removal, food and beverage processing, paper manufacturing, packaging, filtration material, membranes for separation, fuel cells, and pharmaceutical and medical applications (Indrarti and Yudianti, 2012;Katepetch et al 2013;Kurniawan et al 2013;Lin et al 2013;Mohite andPatil 2013, Mondal, 2013).…”