Chemistry

Structural properties of optically clear bacterial cellulose produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii using arabitol

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) exhibits beneficial properties for use in biomedical applications but is limited by its lack of tunable transparency capabilities. To overcome this deficiency, a novel method to synthesize transparent BC materials using an alternative carbon source, namely arabitol, was developed. Characterization of the BC pellicles was performed for yield, transparency, surface morphology, and molecular assembly. Transparent BC was produced using mixtures of glucose and arabitol. Zero percent arabitol pellicles exhibited 25% light transmittance, which increased with increasing arabitol concentration through to 75% light transmittance. While transparency increased, overall BC yield was maintained indicating that the altered transparency may be induced on a micro-scale rather than a macro-scale. Significant differences in fiber diameter and the presence of aromatic signatures were observed. Overall, this research outlines methods for producing BC with tunable optical transparency, while also bringing new insight to insoluble components of exopolymers produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Publication Title

Biomaterials Advances

Publication Date

5-2023

First Page

213345

ISSN

2772-9508

DOI

10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213345

Keywords

arabitol, bacterial cellulose, biomaterials, nanofiber, nanostructure, transparency

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