CHAPTER 1 - Bacterial cellulose nanofibers for separation, drug delivery, wound dressing, and tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers with high purity, high surface/volume ratio, high biocompatibility, high porosity, high tensile strength, and high water holding capacity are emerging attractive biomaterial. BC nanofibers can be prepared simply via bacterial incubation with a low cost in a determined shape owing to its in-situ moldability. BC nanofibers due to its structural and morphological properties have demonstrated great potential as a native form or with various modifications using polymers, micro/nanoparticles, and small molecules for diverse application areas. This review aims to discuss the applicability and efficiency of the BC nanofibers and its composites focusing on the unique characteristics of BC in the fields of separation, drug delivery, wound dressing, and tissue engineering. It overviews the recent developments about the fabrication methods of BC that was used as a separation medium, a drug delivery vehicle, a wound dressing material, and a scaffold.