Bacterial Cellulose Properties Fulfilling Requirements for a Biomaterial of Choice in Reconstructive Surgery and Wound Healing

Abstract

Although new therapeutic approaches for surgery and wound healing have recently made a great progress, there is still need for application of better and use novel methods to enhance biocompatibility as well as recovery and healing process. Bacterial Cellulose (BC) is natural cellulose in the form of nanostructure which has the advantages of being used in human body. The medical application of BC in reconstructive, cardiac and vascular surgery as well as wound healing is still under development, but without proved success of repetitive results. A review of studies on Bacterial Cellulose (BC) since 2016 was performed, taking into account the latest reports on the clinical use of BC. In addition, data on the physicochemical properties of BC were used. In all the works, satisfactory results of using Bacterial Cellulose were obtained. In all presented studies various BC implants demonstrated their best performance. Additionally, the works show that BC has the capacity to reach physiological as well as mechanical properties of relevance for various tissue replacement and can be produced in surgeons as well as patient specific expectations such as ear frames, vascular tubes or heart valves as well as wound healing dressings. Results of those experiments conform to those of previous reports utilizing ADM (acellular dermal matrix) and demonstrate that the use of BC has no adverse effects such as ulceration or extrusion and possesses expected properties. Based on preliminary animal as well as the few clinical data BC fittings are promising implants for various reconstructive applications since they are biocompatible with properties allowing blood flow, attach easily to wound bed and remain in place until donor site is healed properly. Additionally, this review shows that BC can be fabricated into patient specific shapes and size, with capability to reach mechanical properties of relevance for heart valve, ear, and muscle replacement. Bacterial cellulose appears, as shown in the above review, to be one of the materials that allow extensive application in the reconstruction after soft tissue defects. Review was created to show the needs of surgeons and the possibilities of using BC through the eyes and knowledge of biotechnologists.

Comparative Analysis of Bacterial Cellulose Membranes Synthesized by Chosen Komagataeibacter Strains and Their Application Potential

“…In the literature, one may find numerous outcomes characterizing various strains of cellulose producing bacteria. Each strain delivers cellulose films at variable yield and with different structural parameters [ 8 ]. While the efficiency has a direct impact on production costs, the properties of BNC membranes from different strains have a determining significance for their potential application and effectiveness.…”

“…Ultimately, all properties of this biopolymer strongly depend on several factors, including the pH and chemical composition of the growth medium, cultivation time, and operational conditions, as well as selection of an efficiently growing bacterial strain [ 4 ]. The relatively huge diversity of cellulose producing microorganisms, as well as the wide variety of cultivation methods (culture media and their supplementation), create a great opportunity to modify and adjust the properties of this bioinspired material and to find new applications for its usage, such as in the medical sector (wound dressings, implants, scaffolds, drug delivery devices), the field of electronics (sensors, energy storage devices, speakers, acoustic membranes, OLEDs), the environmental sector (water treatment, filtration and adsorption techniques), paper engineering, and the food industry (artificial food, additives, food packaging) [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Depending on the Komagataeibacter strain and the culture conditions used during cultivation, the obtained cellulose membranes differ in properties such as thickness; the content of dry cellulose and exopolysaccharides (EPS), which are hardly soluble in water; fiber density; pellicle flexibility; water-binding capacity; the degree of polymerization; and the crystallinity index [ 8 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Therefore, it is important to properly select the producing strain depending on the intended use in various fields of industry and medicine.…”

“…Therefore, it is important to properly select the producing strain depending on the intended use in various fields of industry and medicine. Until now, few scientific articles have dealt with the topic of comparing and selecting strains in order to specifically select and prepare the appropriate cellulosic material [ 8 , 21 , 23 ]. In this work, we present a comparison of selected parameters of cellulose membranes produced by several strains of the Komagataeibacter genus in terms of the selection of the most appropriate cellulose producing strain with the greatest potential as a biological material for the food and medical industry.…”

Characterization of the Putative Acylated Cellulose Synthase Operon in Komagataeibacter xylinus E25

“…Bacterial nanocellulose (bionanocellulose, BNC) is a natural biopolymer built of β-1-4-linked glucose units, which has found numerous applications due to its outstanding structural, physical and mechanical features [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. This polymer is naturally produced by many bacterial species as part of their biofilm.…”