Bacterial nanocellulose

Because of the extraordinary supramolecular structure and exceptional product characteristics as high-molecular and high-crystalline cellulosics with a water content up to 99%, nanocelluloses require increasing attention. This review assembles the current knowledge in research, development, and application in the field of nanocelluloses through examples. The topics combine selected results on nanocelluloses from bacteria and wood as well as their use as technical membranes and composites with the first longtime study of cellulosics in the animal body for the development of medical devices such as artificial blood vessels, and the application of bacterial nanocellulose as animal wound dressings and cosmetic tissues. 

Fig. 2 Shape and structure of BC. a molecular cellulose chain, b scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of freeze-dried nanofiber network (magnification 10000), c pellicle of bacterial nanocellulose from common static culture...

One recent example of the formation and application of foils/membranes of unmodified bacterial nanocellulose is described by George and coworkers [35]. The processed membrane seems to be of great relevance as a packaging material in the food industry, where continuous moisture removal and minimal-oxygen-transmission properties play a vital role. The purity, controllable water capacity, good mechanical stability, and gas-barrier... 

During the past 5-10 years a considerable increase in knowledge of the structure, chemistry, and processing of cellulose, as well as development of innovative cellulose products, has been observed. New frontiers involve sophisticated methods of structural analysis, environmentally safe cellulose-fiber technologies, as well as progressive work with bacterial nanocellulose, (bio)materials, and a broad spectrum of cellulose composites. 

Paul, G., and Dieter, K. (2010). Bacterial nanocellulose as a renewable material for biomedical applications, MRS Bull., 208-213. 

Kang,Y.J., Chun, S.J., Lee, S., Kim, B.Y., Kim, J.H., Chung, H., Lee, S.Y., Kim,W., 2012a. All-Solid-state flexible supercapacitors fabricated with bacterial nanocellulose papers, carbon nanotubes, and triblock-copolymer ion gels. ACS Nano 6, 6400-6406. 

Bemdt, S., Wesarg, F., Wiegand, C., Kralisch, D., Muller, F., 2013. Antimicrobial porous hybrids consisting of bacterial nanocellulose and silver nanoparticles. CeUulose 20 (2), 771-783. 

Keywords Bacterial nanocellulose, Gluconacetobacter xylinus, production conditions, applications... 

Referring to microbial cellulose applications, bacterial nanocellulose has proven to be a remarkably versatile biomaterial with use in paper products, electronics, acoustic membranes, reinforcement of composite materials, membrane filters, hydraulic fracturing fluids, edible food packaging films, and due to its unique nanostructure and properties, in numerous medical and tissue-engineered applications (tissue-engineered constructs, wound healing devices, etc). 

In the current chapter, the synthesis (with particular focus on static versus agitated processes), properties and applications of bacterial nanocellulose, which have been herein briefly introduced, will be reviewed in detail. 

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