Functionalization of bacterial nanocellulose-based wound dressing for increased drug retention

Author(s)

Breijaert, Troy C. ; Fontes, Marina ; Fernandes, Paula de Abreu ; Barud, Hernane da Silva ; Ribeiro, Sidney J. L. ; Seisenbaeva, Gulaim A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CARBOHYDRATE POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS; v. 10, p. 14-pg., 2025-06-01.

Abstract

Bacterial nanocellulose is a fascinating biopolymer with immense application potential, including as a wound dressing material. It is highly biocompatible and capable of keeping humidity needed for wound healing. However, it lacks specific affinity to pharmaceuticals to be delivered in a controlled fashion in a topical application, urged by the necessity to decrease the release of medicines to the environment. Solving this problem requires tailoring of the material functionality by chemical modification. In this work, a two-step strategy applying first phosphorylation and then introduction of biocompatible mineral particles was applied. Surface modification of commercially available wound dressing material based on dried bacterial nanocellulose led to phosphate grafting of 1.5-1.8 mmol/g and then uniform coverage of individual fibers (colloidal TiO2) or formation of aggregated platelets (TiBALDH (R)) on the surface (with Ti:P element ratios 0.45-0.80). To the titania functionalized dressing the broad spectrum antibiotic Tetracycline was bound (41-45 mg g-1) with its release delayed over several hours / days (over 50 % in 120 h for both nanocarriers). Biological essays indicated excellent biocompatibility and improved cell adhesion, offering a path to accelerated wound closure, promising for diverse tissue engineering applications. This study demonstrated a strategy in approach to dressing materials with delayed drug release properties exploiting the affinity of pharmaceuticals to mineral nanoparticles. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/11965-3 - Center for the sustainable management of pests, diseases and weeds
• Grantee: Mário Eidi Sato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Science Centers for Development
• FAPESP's process: 17/50334-3 - Institutional research development plan (PDIp): modernization and adequacy of strategic multi-user units of the Instituto Biológico
• Grantee: Ana Eugênia de Carvalho Campos
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - State Research Institutes Modernization Program
• FAPESP's process: 23/17580-1 - Development of novel cellular platforms based on bacterial cellulose conjugated with peptides: evaluation of its bioactivity and enhancing adhesion and cell proliferation
• Grantee: Paula de Abreu Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 23/10811-8 - Aptasensor based on recyclable/biodegradable polymers for the detection of three main Salmonella serotypes
• Grantee: Marina de Lima Fontes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors