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Bacterial Cellulose for Scalable and Sustainable Bio-Gels in the Circular Economy

Summary

Bacterial cellulose is a naturally produced material that offers an eco-friendly alternative to plastics and synthetic fabrics. Scientists are developing efficient ways to produce it using waste products from food and agricultural industries through fermentation with special bacteria. This approach not only creates useful materials for textiles, packaging, and medical applications but also helps reduce environmental waste. The technology is advancing rapidly with genetic engineering techniques that can increase production yields and customize the material properties for different uses.

Background

Synthetic polymers have dominated industrial applications but their non-renewable nature and slow biodegradability create significant environmental challenges. Bacterial cellulose (BC) offers a promising renewable alternative to synthetic materials and plant-derived cellulose, with applications in biomedicine, textiles, food, and cosmetics. Food waste valorization through microbial fermentation presents an opportunity to integrate circular economy principles with BC production.

Objective

This review analyzes the synergistic contribution of circular, sustainable, and biotechnological approaches to enhance bacterial cellulose production and tailor its physico-chemical properties. The study examines strategies for large-scale BC production, cost-reduction through waste upcycling, and applications in sustainable fashion and industrial sectors.

Results

Exponential growth in BC-related publications and patents since 2010, with particular acceleration post-2020 in circularity and industrial applications. Biotechnological advances including genetic engineering, co-culturing, and synthetic biology increased BC yield up to sixfold. Agro-industrial waste substrates (coffee cherry husk, fig waste, fruit peels) achieved BC yields of 8.2-8.45 g/L, exceeding traditional Hestrin-Schramm medium yields.

Conclusion

Integrating circular economy principles with biotechnological approaches significantly improves BC production scalability and property tunability while reducing costs and environmental impact. Future industrial applications of BC in sustainable textiles and biomaterials require optimization of fermentation protocols, process standardization, and proof-of-concept at commercial scale. Kombucha-derived BC and waste-based fermentation media demonstrate promising economic feasibility for industrial implementation.
  • Published in:Gels,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40277698, DOI: 10.3390/gels11040262
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