Potential of Bacterial Cellulose for Various Medical Applications

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly pure and crystalline biopolymer produced by various aerobic bacteria, exhibiting unique properties compared to plant cellulose, such as transparency, porosity, high water-holding capacity, and flexibility. BC, alone or in combination with other components (e.g., biopolymers and nanoparticles), has a wide range of applications, including medical products, electronic devices, and food ingredients. Biomedical applications of BC have attracted significant attention due to the growing demand for advanced wound care, tissue regeneration, disease diagnostics, and drug delivery systems. Bacterial cellulose offers substantial potential for developing innovative materials in healthcare, and this review presents comprehensive information on BC production by Acetobacter xylinum and its medical applications. The latest advances in the use of BC in medicine, both in pure and composite forms, are thoroughly discussed.