Overview of bio nanofabric from bacterial cellulose

Nanofibers and bio-nonwoven fabrics of pure cellulose can be made from some bacteria such as Acetobacter xylinum. Bacterial cellulose fibers are very pure, 10 nm in diameter and about 0.5 micron long. The molecular formula of bacterial cellulose is similar to that of plant cellulose. Its fibers are very stiff and it has high tensile strength, high porosity, and nanofibrillar structure. They can potentially be produced in industrial quantities at greatly lowered cost and water content, and with triple the yield by a new process. This article presents a critical review of the available information on bacterial cellulose as a biological nonwoven fabric with special emphasis on its fermentative production and applications. Characteristics of bacterial cellulose biofabric with respect to its structure and physicochemical properties are discussed. Current and potential applications of bacterial cellulose in textile, nonwoven cloth, paper, films, synthetic fiber coating, food, pharmaceutical, and other industries are also presented.