Advances in Bacterial Cellulose Towards Sustainable Production and Emerging Applications

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in bacterial cellulose (BC) research, covering strain engineering and modelling, sustainable production, multifaceted applications, and assessments of its environmental and economic viability. This book seeks to connect academic research with practical application by exploring the distinctive properties and potential applications of BC.

In this book, readers will find topics such as engineering BC by synthetic biology, the environmentally friendly synthesis of BC from waste materials, its various uses in systems with several phases, textiles, biomedical engineering, and materials science. The book also examines the capabilities of BC as bioinks for 3D printing and additive manufacturing, as well as its incorporation into nanocomposites and electrical, optoelectronic, and energy devices. Furthermore, the book addresses the critical aspects of BC's toxicity, life cycle assessment, and techno-economic analysis, providing a thorough understanding of its feasibility against plant cellulose.

Edited and written by experts in the field, this book sets out to solve the ongoing challenge of unlocking the full potential of BC, a biodegradable, renewable, and versatile biopolymer, by providing a comprehensive and authoritative resource for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers. By compiling cutting-edge research and expert insights, this book aims to accelerate the transition of BC from the laboratory to real-world applications, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. The book is intended for academics, researchers, and industry professionals working in the fields of biotechnology, materials science, biomedical engineering, and sustainable development, as well as policymakers and stakeholders interested in the development of innovative, eco-friendly products and technologies.

Fernando Dourado is Assistant Researcher at the Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, where he has taught since 2004. His research on bacterial cellulose spans biomedical, textile, food, and cosmetic applications, with a focus on sustainable production. He has published 60+ articles, co-edited a book, and co-invented three patents. He is co-founder of Satisfibre, S.A., and has contributed to multiple national and European R&D projects and international symposiums on BNC.

Miguel Gama is Associate Professor with Habilitation at the University of Minho and leads the FUNCARB group at the Centre of Biological Engineering. He has directed academic programs in Biomedical Engineering and coordinated 13 research projects, contributing to 10 more, with €2.3M in funding. Author of 200+ publications, he serves on the Nanomaterials editorial board and holds two patents related to bone regeneration and bacterial cellulose. A leading expert in bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), he has edited two books and co-founded the UMinho spin-off Satisfibre, S.A.

Feng Hong is Professor at Donghua University and Director of the Scientific Research Base for Bacterial Nanofiber Manufacturing and Composite Technology. He has held research positions in Sweden and the U.S., and serves on five journal editorial boards. With 200+ publications and three monographs, he is recognized among the world’s top 2% scientists. He has submitted 70+ patents, with over 60 licensed, focusing on cost-effective biosynthesis, modification and medical applications of BNC, particularly in biorefinery of lignocellulosic feedstock as well as small-caliber artificial blood vessels and hemostatic materials.

Rintu Banerjee is Professor at IIT Kharagpur and a leading enzymologist in food biotechnology and bioenergy. She holds 23 granted patents (15 filed), with 12 technologies transferred to industry. Author of two books, she has supervised over 45 PhD students and continues to drive academia-industry innovation in enzyme technology and sustainable bioprocessing.

Mohan Das is Assistant Professor at IIT Kharagpur, specializing in enzymatic bioprocessing and agro-residue valorization. His work includes clinical trials on resistant starch and six patent filings. He leads two research projects and focuses on circular economy approaches to develop sustainable, zero-emission bioproducts.