Modified Bacterial Cellulose for Biomedical Applications
Karen Yuanting Tang, Jerry Zhi Xiong Heng, Casandra Hui Teng Chai, Chui Yu Chan, Beverly Qian Ling Low, Serene Ming En Chong, Hong Yi Loh, Zibiao Li, Enyi Ye, Xian Jun Loh
Abstract
Bacterial cellulose, or microbial cellulose, had gained tremendous interest as a hydrogel material for biomedical purposes in the recent years. It has many intrinsic physiological properties like fibrous nature, ultrafine 3D nanostructure network, high water holding capacity, excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility and biodegradability that allow for the use of such purposes, and the lacking properties can be easily supplemented or enhanced by modifications. In this review, some of the biomedical applications that uses bacterial cellulose are discussed. These include wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering and tumor cell and cancer therapy. In each section, different modifications of BC are showcased and examined on how they benefit the application. Finally, key takeaways on these modifications are also deliberated.