BANDAGES FROM MICROBIAL CELLULOSE

ABSTRACT

In this new age of medicine (Recent medical biotechnology) cellulosic cotton

fibre can be substituted by fibres of microorganism –microbial cellulose. Microbial cellulose
which is synthesised by Acetobacter a bacteria shows vast potential as a novel wound healing
capacity. This unique nano-morphology results in a large surface area that can hold a large
amount of water and possess great elasticity, high wet strength and comfortability.This small
sized fibre plays a key role in formation of bandage. The nano-porous behaviour allows the
potential transfer of antibiotics into the wound and also serves as the physical barrier against
any external infection. It can also be applied at any site of infection as it can be moulded in
any form during processing. It has the advantage over plant cellulose because it doesn’t
contain lignin and hemi cellulose. It is completely non-toxic, non-pyrogenic and
biocompatible bandage. We can improve the production of this microbial cellulose by
using airlift fermentor having hollow fibres (newly designed) which has less shear rate. we
can also scale-up by using stationary and agitated culture in horizontal fermenters .Agar
modifies the rheological properties e.g. viscosity which aids in enhancing cellulose
production.

On further treatment with citric acid can increase its antimicrobial properties. It is found that
microbial cellulose when used as bandage increases the wound healing capacity as compared
to plant cellulose fibres. Treating microbial cellulose with strong bases at high temperature
removes unwanted cells making it biocompatible.

Keywords

Microbial cellulose, Bandage, Agar, Citric acid

(Guide name-Dr.V.SUNEETHA)