Academic Journal
Exploring the evolution of bacterial cellulose precursors and their potential use as cellulose-based building blocks
| Title: | Exploring the evolution of bacterial cellulose precursors and their potential use as cellulose-based building blocks |
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| Authors: | Francesca Mauro, Brunella Corrado, Vincenza De Gregorio, Elena Lagreca, Concetta Di Natale, Raffaele Vecchione, Paolo Antonio Netti |
| Source: | Scientific Reports, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2024) |
| Publisher Information: | Nature Portfolio, 2024. |
| Publication Year: | 2024 |
| Collection: | LCC:Medicine LCC:Science |
| Subject Terms: | Bacterial cellulose, Kombucha, Biomaterials, SEM, SHG, Medicine, Science |
| More Details: | Abstract Natural polymers have found increased use in a wider range of applications due to their less harmful effects. Notably, bacterial cellulose has gained significant consideration due to its exceptional physical and chemical properties and its substantial biocompatibility, which makes it an attractive candidate for several biomedical applications. This study attempts to thoroughly unravel the microstructure of bacterial cellulose precursors, known as bioflocculants, which to date have been poorly characterised, by employing both electron and optical microscopy techniques. Here, starting from bioflocculants from Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY), we proved that their microstructural features, such as porosity percentage, cellulose assembly degree, fibres’ density and fraction, change in a spatio-temporal manner during their rising toward the liquid–air interface. Furthermore, our research identified a correlation between electron and optical microscopy parameters, enabling the assessment of bioflocculants' microstructure without necessitating offline sample preparation procedures. The ultimate goal was to determine their potential suitability as a novel cellulose-based building block material with tuneable structural properties. Our investigations substantiate the capability of SCOBY bioflocculants, characterized by distinct microstructures, to successfully assemble within a microfluidic device, thereby generating a cellulose sheet endowed with specific and purposefully designed structural features. |
| Document Type: | article |
| File Description: | electronic resource |
| Language: | English |
| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |
| Relation: | https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322 |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-024-62462-9 |
| Access URL: | https://doaj.org/article/45d9dd621d2a4f1682bf1354262b5b5f |
| Accession Number: | edsdoj.45d9dd621d2a4f1682bf1354262b5b5f |
| Database: | Directory of Open Access Journals |
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| ISSN: | 20452322 |
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| DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-024-62462-9 |
| Published in: | Scientific Reports |
| Language: | English |