Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC)

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a high-purity extracellular polysaccharide synthesized by various bacterial species, most prominently from the genus Komagataeibacter (Klemm et al., 2011). It is characterized by a unique three-dimensional network of ribbon-shaped nanofibers that provides exceptional mechanical properties, high water-holding capacity, and high crystallinity (Rajwade et al., 2015). Unlike plant cellulose, BNC is devoid of impurities like lignin and hemicellulose, which contributes to its superior biocompatibility and makes it an ideal scaffold for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (Helenius et al., 2006). In therapeutic contexts, BNC scaffolds are primarily utilized as wound dressings for burns and chronic ulcers, where they facilitate healing by maintaining a moist environment and supporting cell migration (Pötzinger et al., 2017). While BNC is not a biological target in the traditional pharmacological sense, it serves as a sophisticated drug delivery platform that can be loaded with antimicrobial agents, growth factors, or small molecules to provide controlled, localized release (Abitbol et al., 2016).

Other names

Microbial celluloseBacterial celluloseBiocelluloseBCMicrobial nanocellulose

Acts as a physical scaffold for cell migration and proliferation, provides a moist environment for wound healing, and serves as a reservoir for the controlled release of therapeutic agents.