Joong Kon Park

Overview of bacterial cellulose composites: A multipurpose advanced material

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has received substantial interest owing to its unique structural features and impressive physico-mechanical properties. BC has a variety of applications in biomedical fields, including use as biomaterial for artificial skin, artificial blood vessels, vascular grafts, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and wound dressing. However, pristine BC lacks certain properties, which limits its applications in various fields; therefore, synthesis of BC composites has been conducted to address these limitations. A variety of BC composite synthetic strategies have been developed based on the nature and relevant applications of the combined materials. BC composites are primarily synthesized through in situ addition of reinforcement materials to BC synthetic media or the ex situ penetration of such materials into BC microfibrils. Polymer blending and solution mixing are less frequently used synthetic approaches. BC composites have been synthesized using numerous materials ranging from organic polymers to inorganic nanoparticles. In medical fields, these composites are used for tissue regeneration, healing of deep wounds, enzyme immobilization, and synthesis of medical devices that could replace cardiovascular and other connective tissues. Various electrical products, including biosensors, biocatalysts, E-papers, display devices, electrical instruments, and optoelectronic devices, are prepared from BC composites with conductive materials. In this review, we compiled various synthetic approaches for BC composite synthesis, classes of BC composites, and applications of BC composites. This study will increase interest in BC composites and the development of new ideas in this field.

Nanoreinforced bacterial cellulose–montmorillonite composites for biomedical applications

Polymer composites containing solid clay nanoparticles have attracted immense attention due to the reinforced physico-mechanical properties of the final product. Bacterial cellulose-montmorillonite (BC-MMT) composites were prepared by impregnation of BC sheets with MMT suspension. FE-SEM showed that MMT adsorbed onto the surface as well as penetrated into the matrix of the BC sheets. Peaks for both BC and MMT were present in the FT-IR spectrum of the composite. XRD also showed diffraction peaks for MMT and BC with a slight decrease in the composite crystallinity from 63.22% of pure BC to 49.68% of BC-MMT3. The mechanical and thermal properties of BC-MMT composites were significantly improved compared to those of the pure BC. Tensile strength for composites was increased up to 210 MPa from 151.3 Mpa (BC) while their degradation temperature extended from 232 °C (BC) up to 310 °C. Similarly, the water holding capacity was decreased while the water release rate was improved for the BC-MMT composites as compared to the pure BC.

Structural and physico-mechanical characterization of bio-cellulose produced by a cell-free system

This study was aimed to characterize the structural and physico-mechanical properties of bio-cellulose produced through cell-free system. Fourier transform-infrared spectrum illustrated exact matching of structural peaks with microbial cellulose, used as reference. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that fibrils of bio-cellulose were thicker and more compact than microbial cellulose. The specific positions of peaks in the X-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra indicated that bio-cellulose possessed cellulose II polymorphic structure. Bio-cellulose presented superior physico-mechanical properties than microbial cellulose. The water holding capacity of bio-cellulose and microbial cellulose were found to be 188.6 ± 5.41 and 167.4 ± 4.32 times their dry-weights, respectively. Tensile strengths and degradation temperature of bio-cellulose were 17.63 MPa and 352 °C, respectively compared to 14.71 MPa and 327 °C of microbial cellulose. Overall, the results indicated successful synthesis and superior properties of bio-cellulose that advocate its effectiveness for various applications.

Innovative production of bio-cellulose using a cell-free system derived from a single cell line

The current study was intended to produce bio-cellulose through a cell-free system developed by disrupting Gluconacetobacter hansenii PJK through bead-beating. Microscopic analysis indicated the complete disruption of cells (2.6 × 10(7) cells/mL) in 20 min that added 95.12 μg/mL protein, 1.63 mM ATP, and 1.11 mM NADH into the medium. A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry linear trap quadrupole (LC-MS/MS LTQ) Orbitrap analysis of cell-lysate confirmed the presence of all key enzymes for bio-cellulose synthesis. Under static conditions at 30 °C, microbial and cell-free systems produced 3.78 and 3.72 g/L cellulose, corresponding to 39.62 and 57.68% yield, respectively after 15 days. The improved yield based on consumed glucose indicated the superiority of cell-free system. Based on current findings and literature, we hypothesized a synthetic pathway for bio-cellulose synthesis in the cell-free system. This approach can overcome some limitations of cellulose-producing cells and offers a wider scope for synthesizing cellulose composites with bactericidal elements through in situ synthesizing approaches.

Effects of glucuronic acid oligomers on the production, structure and properties of bacterial cellulose.

The addition of certain supplementary carbon sources to the culture media can influence the production, structural features and mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose (BC). In this study, different concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 4%) of a by-product, single sugar α-linked glucuronic acid-based oligosaccharide (SSGO), were added to the culture media during the production of BC. Production with 1% (BC1), 2% (BC2) and 4% (BC3) SSGO led to increases in BC production of 10.45, 12.74 and 9.01 g/L, respectively, after 10 days of cultivation under static conditions, while it was only 7.4 g/L when no SSGO was added (BC0). The structures of BC0, BC1, BC2, and BC3 were confirmed by XRD and FT-IR analysis. FE-SEM micrographs showed increased fibril thickness and decreased pore size in the SSGO added samples. The tensile strength of the BC0 was 16.73 MPa, while it was 25.05 MPa for BC1. However, with further increases in the concentration of SSGO, the tensile strength decreased to 20.76 and 19.77 MPa for BC2 and BC3, respectively. The results of this study provide further insight into the additive role of SSGO and improvement of the physico-mechanical properties of BC.

Bacterial cellulose–poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–poly(styrenesulfonate) composites for optoelectronic applications

UNLABELLED Electrically conducting bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes were prepared by ex situ incorporation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT PSS) into BC pellicles. The BC pellicles were immersed into an aqueous solution of PEDOT PSS for 6, 12, 18, or 24h, and the resultant composites were vacuum dried at ambient temperature. The structural features of the composites were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XPS confirmed synthesis of the composites, and SEM showed uniform incorporation of PEDOT PSS into the BC matrix. The FTIR spectra of the composites exhibited characteristic bands for both BC and PEDOT PSS, and XRD analysis showed a slight decrease in crystallinity during composite preparation. The electrical conductivity of the composites was 12.17S/cm for incorporation of 31.24 wt% PEDOT PSS into the BC matrix. These highly conducting BC-PEDOT:PSS composites are expected to find potential applications in optoelectronic devices such as biosensors, organic light-emitting diodes, and solar cells.

Effect of post-synthetic processing conditions on structural variations and applications of bacterial cellulose

Physicochemical properties of materials can be amended by altering their physical structure through different processing conditions. The present study was conducted to investigate the post-synthesis structural variations and physico-mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) sheets prepared using different drying methods. Wet BC sheets of the same origin were freeze dried (BC-FD), dried at room temperature (25 °C) (BC-DRT), and dried at elevated temperature (50 °C) (BC-DHT). FE-SEM micrographs revealed that BC-DRT and BC-DHT had a more tightly packed and compact structure than the loosely held fibrils of BC-FD. XRD analysis revealed the relative crystallinity of the BC sample to be 64.60, 59.16, and 47.20 % for BC-DHT, BC-DRT and BC-FD, respectively. The water holding capacity (WHC) of the BC-FD was higher than that of the other two samples. Four consecutive drying and rewetting cycles demonstrated that the WHC of all samples decreased with each cycle. The WHC of BC-DRT and BC-DHT was reduced to almost 0 after the first drying cycle, but the BC-FD samples were able to regain some of their WHC. The tensile strength and elongation modulus were in the order of BC-DHT > BC-DRT > BC-FD. Overall, the results of this study revealed that the post-synthetic processing conditions had a strong effect on the structure and physico-mechanical properties of BC.

Bacterial cellulose composites: Synthetic strategies and multiple applications in bio-medical and electro-conductive fields.

Bacterial cellulose (BC), owing to its pure nature and impressive physicochemical properties, including high mechanical strength, crystallinity, porous fibrous structure, and liquid absorbing capabilities, has emerged as an advanced biomaterial. To match the market demand and economic values, BC has been produced through a number of synthetic routes, leading to slightly different structural features and physical appearance. Chemical nature, porous geometry, and 3D fibrous structure of BC make it an ideal material for composites synthesis that successfully overcome certain deficiencies of pure BC. In this review, we have focused various strategies developed for synthesizing BC and BC composites. Reinforcement materials including nanoparticles and polymers have enhanced the antimicrobial, conducting, magnetic, biocompatible, and mechanical properties of BC. Both pure BC and its composites have shown impressive applications in medical fields and in the development of optoelectronic devices. Herein, we have given a special attention to discuss its applications in the medical and electronic fields. In conclusion, BC and BC composites have realistic potential to be used in future development of medical devices, artificial organs and electronic and conducting materials. The contents discussed herein will provide an eye‐catching theme to the researchers concerned with practical applications of BC and BC composites.

Encapsulated yeast cell-free system: A strategy for cost-effective and sustainable production of bio-ethanol in consecutive batches

This study was intended to develop an encapsulated yeast cell-free system (EyCFS) by confining yeast cell-free lysate within a calcium alginate capsule. The system was evaluated for bio-ethanol production at elevated temperatures and was compared to a bare yeast cell-free system (ByCFS). Fermentation of 10 g/L glucose with shaking (150 rpm), using 2 mg/mL cell-free proteins in the ByCFS produced 3.31 g/L bio-ethanol, corresponding to 65% of the maximal theoretical yield, at 45°C and pH 7.0. On the contrary, the EyCFS produced 4.12 g/L bioethanol, corresponding to 81% of the maximal theoretical yield, under the same experimental conditions. The EyCFS also retained 32% of its original activity after 15 consecutive batches. We observed an 11% increase in bio-ethanol production after replenishment of cofactors (ATP and NADH) and ATPase. The weight-based total turnover number (TTNw; 0.82 × 103), cost ratio (R value; 1.22), and yield (80.4%) indicated the economic suitability of the EyCFS for large-scale production. Connecting the EyCFS with an encapsulated saccharification system through separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) resulted in production of 4.87 g/L bio-ethanol, corresponding to 87.6% of the maximal theoretical yield. This system resolved serious limitations of conventional simultaneous saccharification and fermentation in bare cell-free systems. These data demonstrates the superiority of the proposed system in terms of thermal stability, yield, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness.

Potential of the waste from beer fermentation broth for bio-ethanol production without any additional enzyme, microbial cells and carbohydrates

The potential of the waste from beer fermentation broth (WBFB) for the production of bio-ethanol using a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process without any extra additions of saccharification enzymes, microbial cells or carbohydrate was tested. The major microbial cells in WBFB were isolated and identified. The variations in compositions of WBFB with stock time were investigated. There was residual activity of starch hydrolyzing enzymes in WBFB. The effects of reaction modes e.g. static and shaking on bio-ethanol production were studied. After 7 days of cultivation using the supernatant of WBFB at 30 °C the ethanol concentration reached 103.8 g/L in shaking culture and 91.5 g/L in static culture. Agitation experiments conducted at a temperature-profile process in which temperature was increased from 25 to 67 °C shortened the simultaneous process time. The original WBFB was more useful than the supernatant of WBFB in getting the higher concentration of ethanol and reducing the fermentation time. From this whole study it was found that WBFB is a cheap and suitable source for bio-ethanol production.