Bacterial cellulose: The future material for reshaping artificial skin

Bacterial Cellulose (BC), as a natural polymer material synthesized by bacteria, has gradually become an important research object in the field of biomedical science, especially in the application of artificial skin. The excellent properties of bacterial cellulose include high biocompatibility, excellent mechanical strength, good hydration and surface properties, giving it great potential in trauma repair and skin replacement. This article will discuss in detail the functional characteristics of bacterial cellulose and its principles and applications in artificial skin.

1. Functional characteristics of bacterial cellulose

The structural characteristics of bacterial cellulose give it multiple advantages, especially in skin replacement and trauma repair, which reflects its wide application value. Its functional characteristics are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1.1 High purity and crystallinity

Bacterial cellulose has extremely high purity and crystallinity, and has a uniform structure, making it suitable for biomedical applications. Its purity can be as high as 99.5% and its crystallinity exceeds 80%, allowing it to provide ideal biocompatibility and mechanical stability in trauma repair.

1.2 Excellent biocompatibility

Bacterial cellulose is non-toxic and has excellent biocompatible and is highly compatible with skin tissue. During trauma repair, it promotes healing and reduces immune rejection.

1.3 Excellent hydration and breathability

Bacterial cellulose can absorb and maintain a large amount of water, with a water absorption rate of up to 60%-70%, maintaining a moist environment on the wound, which helps the proliferation and migration of cells and accelerates the healing process. Its breathability is also very superior, with an oxygen transmittance of up to 1200-1500 mL/m²·h, which can effectively reduce the risk of infection and maintain appropriate humidity on the wound.

1.4 Good mechanical properties

Bacterial cellulose has tensile strength up to 100 MPa and can have an elongation of break of up to 20%. These physical properties make them have excellent flexibility and can effectively protect trauma from external interference.

2. Principles of application of bacterial cellulose in artificial skin

The application of bacterial cellulose in the field of artificial skin is mainly based on its ability to simulate the functions and structure of human skin and provide the ideal environment required for trauma repair. Its application principle is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

2.1 Promote trauma healing

The principle of application of bacterial cellulose in trauma treatment is mainly reflected in its ability to provide a suitable wet environment and maintain the hydration of the wound, which is crucial to accelerate wound healing. Studies have shown that a humid environment can promote cell proliferation and migration, promote epithelialization and regeneration, and reduce scar generation. Bacterial cellulose can effectively keep the wound moist, thus providing good conditions for the rapid growth of cells.

2.2 Prevent infection

The bacterial cellulose is dense and smooth in structure, helping to reduce bacterial attachment to their surface, thereby reducing the risk of wound infection. At the same time, bacterial cellulose can maintain the ventilation of the wound through breathability, helping to isolate the wound from the external environment and preventing the entry of harmful microorganisms.

2.3 As a skin substitute

The microstructure of bacterial cellulose is similar to that of the skin and can be used as a temporary skin replacement. In artificial skin applications, bacterial cellulose can form a skin-like protective film in the trauma area, which not only protects the trauma area from external physical damage, but also promotes the growth and repair of new skin.

2.4 Controlled release drug function

The special structure of bacterial cellulose also makes it have excellent drug-carrying ability. In the application of artificial skin, bacterial cellulose can combine with biologically active ingredients such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and slowly release these drugs through their porous structure, further promoting wound healing and reducing infection.

3. Clinical application of bacterial cellulose in artificial skin

As a material for artificial skin, bacterial cellulose has achieved good clinical application results in many fields. Its clinical application is mainly concentrated in the following aspects:

3.1 Burn treatment

Bacterial cellulose has significant effects in wound treatment in burn patients. It can effectively cover the burn wound, reduce fluid loss, maintain the wound moisturize, and promote the healing of burns. In several clinical studies, bacterial cellulose has shown excellent wound healing effects as a burn treatment dressing and has greatly reduced the infection rate.

3.2 Treatment of diabetes ulcers

Bacterial cellulose has shown excellent efficacy in the treatment of diabetes ulcers. Because diabetic patients heal slowly, the use of bacterial cellulose can effectively accelerate ulcer healing while reducing complications. Studies have shown that the ulcer healing rate in patients treated with bacterial cellulose is 35%-40% higher than that in conventional treatment.

3.3 Trauma repair and infection prevention

Bacterial cellulose can effectively provide the ideal environment required for trauma repair, have strong antibacterial effects, and play a dual role in preventing infection and promoting healing in trauma treatment. It can form a stable wound protection barrier and reduce the invasion of pathogens.

4. Future development trends

With the continuous deepening of research on bacterial cellulose materials, its application in the field of artificial skin will be further expanded. Future research directions will focus on the following aspects:

4.1 Functional modification

In the future, functional modification of bacterial cellulose will be the focus of research, and its effectiveness in trauma treatment will be further enhanced through the combination with antibacterial agents, painkillers or growth factors. For example, bacterial cellulose can be combined with natural antibacterial ingredients to produce artificial skin with stronger antibacterial properties.

4.2 Development of composite materials

In order to further improve the physical and chemical properties of bacterial cellulose, researchers will develop more composite materials to compound bacterial cellulose with other biological materials (such as collagen, polylactic acid, etc.), thereby improving its mechanical strength and flexibility

5. Summary and future development direction

As a natural polymer material, bacterial cellulose has an excellent biocompatibility, excellent mechanical properties and unique hydration, making its application potential in the field of artificial skin increasingly visible. By simulating the structure and function of natural skin, bacterial cellulose not only provides an ideal wound healing environment, but also effectively prevents infection, promotes skin regeneration, and accelerates wound healing. In recent years, the clinical application of bacterial cellulose in burns, diabetic ulcers and other trauma repair has achieved remarkable results, demonstrating its unique advantages in the field of biomedical materials.

However, despite the broad application prospects of bacterial cellulose , there are still certain challenges. For example, the cost issues of large-scale production and its stability and durability in long-term use still need further research. In order to better expand its application, future research will focus on the functional modification of bacterial cellulose and the development of composite materials, striving to improve its physical and chemical properties while improving its comprehensiveness in the fields of trauma repair, skin replacement, etc. efficacy.

Looking ahead, with the continuous advancement of production technology and the deepening of related scientific research, the application scope of bacterial cellulose will continue to expand in the field of biomedical science, especially in the fields of trauma treatment, skin replacement, drug delivery, etc., which will definitely play a more important role. effect. The continuous optimization and innovation of bacterial cellulose will not only provide more efficient and safe solutions for clinical treatment, but will also make more far-reaching contributions in promoting breakthroughs in the development and application of biomedical materials.

References

Chen Liying, Yang Shufen, Wang Shuli. Preparation of bacterial cellulose and its application in biomedicine. Biomaterials, 2021, 41(6): 762-773.

Zhang Ke, Liu Chenglong, Chen Gang. Application and progress of bacterial cellulose in artificial skin. 'Trauma Repair and Functional Reconstruction', 2020, 28(2): 118-123.

Wang Liping, Li Xin, Wang Lei. Application research on bacterial cellulose and synthetic polymer composite materials. 'Polymer Science', 2022, 40(4): 85-92.

Liu Y., Zhang T., et al. Bacterial cellulose-based artistic skin for wound healing applications: Recent advances and future perspectives. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials, 2023, 111(4): 850-861.