Bacterial cellulose features some outstanding properties, such as high purity and high molecular weight that render this natural source an excellent candidate for a variety of applications. Bacterial cellulose aerogels were demonstrated to feature good dimensional stability upon scCO2 drying, and during storage under humid conditions which typically causes considerable shrinkage with aerogels of comparable density obtained by dissolution and regeneration of plant cellulose. Full accessibility of the pore network after scCO2 drying allows for their utilization in controlled release applications such as for wound treatment or skin care. Good biocompatibility renders cellulose aerogels promising cell scaffolding materials which were shown to support both growth and adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells. The anisotropy with regard to morphology and mechanical characteristics of bacterial cellulose aerogels could be of particular use for applications that require specific void size, geometry, and elasticity of the void beams.

Bacterial cellulose aerogels: From lightweight dietary food to functional materials

245th National Meeting (2013)

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