Cost‐Effective Fabrication of Highly Crystalline Bacterial Nanocellulose and Its Anthocyanin Functionalization for Multifunctional Applications

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), a biopolymer produced extracellularly by certain bacteria, is known for its high water‐holding capacity, mechanical strength, purity, and biocompatibility. This study aimed to synthesize high yields of BNC and further functionalize it to attain antibacterial and pH‐responsive properties. BNC was synthesized using kombucha SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) via static fermentation of sweetened tea, achieving a high dry yield of 21.05 ± 0.08 g/L after 20 days of fermentation. BNC was functionalized using anthocyanin pigment derived from Hemigraphis colorata , a tropical herb known for its wound‐healing potential. The native and functionalized membranes were characterized using various analytical techniques that revealed its nanofibrous structure, thermal stability, and hydrophilicity. XRD analysis indicated that the native BNC exhibited a high crystallinity index of 96.6%. The anthocyanin functionalized membrane showed antibacterial activity against gram‐positive and gram‐negative microorganisms; and showed color change at different pH levels. The association with crystalline BNC aided anthocyanin to retain its antioxidant capacity around 89% even after autoclaving. This scaffold also showed approximately 50% wound closure after 48 h of treatment, as per in vitro studies. This research article is unique in proposing a cost‐effective synthesis of BNC, and the use of anthocyanin functionalized BNC nanocomposites.