Comparing the structure and properties of bacterial and plant-based cellulose: Implications for biomedical applications

Abstract

In the field of biomedicine, there is a high demand for new biomaterials that exhibit biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical properties resembling tissue. Cellulose is a promising candidate, with both plant based and bacterial cellulose being investigated for applications such as wound dressing, tissue engineering and drug delivery systems.

This review examines and compares the structure, properties and production methods and biomedical applications of plant cellulose and bacterial cellulose. The structure of plant-based and bacterial cellulose differs greatly. Structural differences account for their distinct properties, such as porosity and modifiability. The production methods differ a lot as well. While plant-based cellulose has to be degraded and purified from undesirable materials such as hemicellulose and lignin, bacterial cellulose is obtained via fermentation in bioreactors.

The differences in the properties and production methods affect the applicability of plant-based and bacterial cellulose. Plant cellulose is mostly utilized in biomedicine as micro and nanocellulose. The properties of plant cellulose-based materials are less suitable for biomedical applications than those of bacterial cellulose, reducing the interest in researching its applicability. Although bacterial cellulose shows greater promise, not enough research on its applicability is conducted in humans, preventing its further utilization currently. More research is needed for both types of cellulose.