Development of bacterial cellulose nanocomposite film for medical applications

Abstract

To modify the properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) in order to be suitably used in a specific medical application such as wound dressing, in this research, the bacterial cellulose-chitosan (BCC) and bacterial cellulose-Aloe vera (BCA) composite films were developed by immersing the purified BC pellicle in chitosan acetic acid solution and Aloe vera clear gel. Then both of the developed composite films were characterized for physical and biological properties. In addition, the biocompatibility of BCC and BCA films on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts was evaluated. It was found that the physical and biological properties of BCC and BCA films were changed from those of the pristine BC film. In case of the BCC film, the FTIR result indicated the intermolecular interaction between BC and chitosan. The mechanical properties, the crystallinity, the water absorption capacity, the water vapor transmission rate, the oxygen transmission rate and the average pore diameters were decreased, whereas the antimicrobial abilities against gram positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and fungi, Aspergillus niger of films were enhanced. Moreover, BCC films supported adhesion, growth and proliferation of both of human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. In case of BCA film, the FTIR result indicated the intermolecular interaction between BC and Aloe vera. When compared with the pristine BC film, the mechanical properties, the crystallinity and the average pore diameter were decreased whereas; the oxygen transmission rate and the antifungal ability against Aspergillus niger were enhanced. Biocompatibility tests of BCA films revealed that not only the films supported adhesion of human keratinocytes and fibroblasts but also promoted growth and proliferation of those cells. Our results indicated that the modified BC films by immersing it into chitosan solution and Aloe vera gel exhibited advantageous properties to be used as wound dressing material.