Probiotic cellulose: antibiotic-free antibacterial for surface protection

The dramatic increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is one of the biggest threats to global health. New antibiotic-free approaches are needed to address bacterial infections.

The use of probiotics is a very promising alternative. However, its viability and activity are affected by the hostile chemical environment of the infected tissue. Becoming crucial to choose an appropriate matrix to host and protect them.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer synthesized by various aerobic non-pathogenic bacteria, which has been explored for biomedical applications, in particular as a wound dressing material. However, BC itself has no activity against bacterial infection. In addition, this type of approach involves the previous isolation of bacterial cellulose, which makes the process more expensive.

The developed technology, probiotic cellulose (PC), is a new concept of biomaterial for the antibiotic-free therapy of bacterial infections. In contrast to all previous cellulose-based materials, in PC the probiotics entrapped in the cellulose give to the biomaterial antibacterial activity by itself, capable to eradicate Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most active pathogens in severe skin infections. This technology could be applied in the manufacture of other materials such as food casings and clothes. Moreover, it is produced by a smart one-pot synthesis which is more easy and economic than bacterial cellulose (BC).

ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS

• Non-toxic and fully biocompatible. In contrast to plant cellulose (PC), is chemically pure, free of components such as hemicellulose, lignin or pectin.
• Long term effectiveness. Probiotics remain alive and active in probiotic cellulose at least a month
• Reduces need for frequent dressing changes.Promoting the development of granulation tissue.
• Low specificity of producing microorganisms.Probiotic cellulose can be made from any facultative anaerobic probiotic or anaerobic microorganism.
• High viability.Probiotic cellulose protects live probiotics during storage under harsh conditions.
• Exceptional mechanical properties. High water-holding and high adsorption capacity.
• Reduced costs.In contrast, all previously reported bacterial cellulose and derivatives, following our strategy, probiotic cellulose can be produced more easily and economically than bacterial cellulose, which is of paramount importance for industrial production.
• Probiotic cellulose can be incorporated into textiles. In clothes or food wraps.
• Antibiotic-free antibacterial. It would be necessary in daily life in a time where antibiotics would not be longer effective.

Current development status

Laboratory prototypes

Applications

Food casings

Wound management

Biotechnology

Clothes

Antibacterial

Desired business relationship

Patent licensing