The status and production of bacterial cellulose in the field of biomedical engineering

Mona Susan^*
*Correspondence: Mona Susan, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Email:

Introduction

Bacterial Cellulose is a unique biomaterial with promising applications in biomedical engineering. This article provides an overview of the current status of BC production, its properties, and its diverse applications in this field. We discuss the production methods of BC, its key properties, and its various biomedical applications. Additionally, we explore the challenges and future prospects of BC in biomedical engineering. Bacterial cellulose is a form of cellulose produced by certain bacteria, primarily Acetobacter xylinum. It has garnered significant interest in biomedical engineering due to its unique properties, such as high purity, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. BC's potential applications range from wound dressings and tissue engineering scaffolds to drug delivery systems and medical implants. This article provides an overview of BC's production, properties, and applications in the field of biomedical engineering. BC is produced through the fermentation of bacteria, such as Acetobacter xylinum, in a culture medium containing carbon and nitrogen sources. The bacteria produce cellulose as a byproduct, which forms a gel-like pellicle on the surface of the medium. After harvesting, the pellicle is purified to obtain BC [1-3].

Description

Various factors, including culture conditions, medium composition, and bacterial strains, influence the yield and properties of BC. BC possesses several properties that make it ideal for biomedical applications. It has a highly crystalline structure, contributing to its mechanical strength and biocompatibility. BC's high water retention capacity and oxygen permeability make it suitable for wound dressings. Moreover, BC is non-toxic, biodegradable, and has low immunogenicity, making it safe for use in the body. BC is produced by various strains of bacteria, with Gluconacetobacter xylinus being the most studied. The production process involves aerobic fermentation in a nutrient-rich medium, typically containing glucose, peptone, yeast extract, and other nutrients. The optimal conditions for BC production include a pH range of 4-7, a temperature range of 25-30°C, and an ample supply of oxygen. BC can be produced in static or agitated cultures. In static cultures, BC forms a thick pellicle at the air-liquid interface, while in agitated cultures, BC forms as small particles suspended in the medium. Static cultures generally produce higher-quality BC with superior mechanical properties, whereas agitated cultures are more suitable for large-scale production due to better oxygen transfer and higher yield. Various strategies have been employed to enhance BC production, including genetic engineering of bacterial strains, optimizing fermentation conditions, and using different carbon and nitrogen sources. Genetic modifications, such as the overexpression of cellulose synthase genes or the knockout of metabolic pathways competing for precursors, have shown promising results. Additionally, using agro-industrial byproducts like molasses, fruit peels, and corn steep liquor as substrates can reduce production costs and enhance sustainability [4,5].

Conclusion

Improved soil structure, enhanced water retention and efficient nutrient uptake enable plants to withstand drought conditions more effectively. High salinity in soils can stress plants by limiting their water uptake. The enhanced nutrient availability and improved root health resulting from microbial compost fertilization can help plants manage salt stress. Plants treated with microbial compost fertilization have been observed to exhibit greater resilience to temperature extremes. The root microbiome plays a significant role in helping plants adapt to temperature fluctuations. Research conducted in drought-prone regions has shown that maize plants treated with compost tea exhibited increased drought tolerance compared to control plants. This effect was attributed to improved soil structure and enhanced water retention.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

There is no conflict of interest by author.

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