Bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites for periodontal disease

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has become established as a remarkably versatile biomaterial and can be used in a wide variety of scientific applications, especially for medical devices. In this work, the bacterial cellulose fermentation process is modified by the addition of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid (1% w/w) to the culture medium before the bacteria is inoculated. Besides, calcium phosphate precipitation of biological interest on bacterial cellulose was studied and the potential of gamma irradiation treatment for the modification of the BC surface properties, enhancing its potential for biomedical applications is analyzed. Chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid effects in bacterial cellulose were analyzed using transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), TGA (Thermogravimetry analysis) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis showed interaction between bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites and calcium phosphate. TGA demonstrated that higher deposition was obtained in bacterial cellulose/hyaluronic acid samples. SEM images showed calcium phosphate on bacterial cellulose and differences with irradiation is ilustred.