Bacterial Cellulose–Chitosan Paper with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

Abstract

The production of paper based bacterial cellulose-chitosan (BC-Ch) nanocomposites was accomplished following two different approaches. In the first, BC paper sheets were produced and then immersed in an aqueous solution of chitosan (BC-ChI); in the second, BC pulp was impregnated with chitosan prior to the production of the paper sheets (BC-ChM). BC-Ch nanocomposites were investigated in terms of physical characteristics, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and ability to inhibit the formation of biofilms on their surface. The two types of BC-Ch nanocomposites maintained the hydrophobic character, the air barrier properties, and the high crystallinity of the BC paper. However, BC-ChI showed a surface with a denser fiber network and with smaller pore than BC-ChM. Only 5% of the chitosan leached from the BC-Ch nanocomposites after 96 h of incubation in an aqueous medium, indicating that it was well retained by the BC paper matrix. BC-Ch nanocomposites displayed antimicrobial activity, inhibiting growth and having killing effect against the bacteria S.aureus and P.aeruginosa, and the yeast C.albicans. Moreover, BC-Ch papers showed activity against the formation of biofilm on their surface. The incorporation of chitosan increased the antioxidant activity of the BC paper. Paper based BC-Ch nanocomposites combined the physical properties of BC paper and the antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antioxidant activity of chitosan.

Developed Chitosan/Oregano Essential Oil Biocomposite Packaging Film Enhanced by Cellulose Nanofibril

“…Fernandes et al [ 39 ] also reported that increased bacterial cellulose contents promoted crystallization of chitosan chains as observed in the diffractograms of water soluble chitosan/bacterial cellulose nanocomposite films. The strength of the crystalline peak increased with increased CNFs content which was due to the high biocompatibility between chitosan and cellulose [ 40 ].…”

Trends on the Cellulose-Based Textiles: Raw Materials and Technologies

“…This structure possesses exclusive features, such as high mechanical strength, water-holding capacity, dimensional stability, crystallinity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability (Picheth et al, 2017). Given these features, numerous applications of BNC have been studied: in the biomedical field as a wound dressing, for tissue regeneration/substitution, drug delivery systems, biosensors and cancer diagnosis; in the textile and paper industries for fiber composites and coatings; in the food and cosmetic industries as an emulsifier and viscosifier (Klemm et al, 2005;Chawla et al, 2009;Müller et al, 2013;Nimeskern et al, 2013;Lee et al, 2014;Shi et al, 2014;Rajwade et al, 2015;Ul-Islam et al, 2019;Amorim et al, 2020;Anton-Sales et al, 2020;Cabañas-Romero et al, 2020;Farooq et al, 2020;Liu et al, 2020;Nanollose, 2020). The main application is still as a food item known as nata de coco, mostly produced and consumed in Asian countries (Dourado et al, 2016a).…”

Bacterial Nanocellulose—A Biobased Polymer for Active and Intelligent Food Packaging Applications: Recent Advances and Developments

“…Combination of BNC with other polymers was also used to provide antimicrobial properties. Cabañas-Romero et al [ 114 ] produced composites by immersing bacterial nanocellulose in a chitosan solution. The obtained composite material not only exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but also showed antioxidant activity and good mechanical properties [ 114 ].…”

“…Cabañas-Romero et al [ 114 ] produced composites by immersing bacterial nanocellulose in a chitosan solution. The obtained composite material not only exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but also showed antioxidant activity and good mechanical properties [ 114 ]. Another approach to impart bactericidal features to BNC matrices was the incorporation of metal ions and oxides (e.g., silver, gold, copper, platinum, ZnO, TiO 2 , MgO) [ 90 ].…”