Extra-Strong Bacterial Cellulose Sheets as a Biodegradable Alternative to Plastic

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Extra-Strong Bacterial Cellulose Sheets as a Biodegradable Alternative to Plastic:

A team led by researchers from the University of Houston and Rice University has demonstrated a method for producing stronger, multifunctional bacterial cellulose sheets that could support the development of biodegradable alternatives to plastic.

The work, published in Nature Communications, outlines a scalable, single-step biosynthesis approach to produce sheets of plastic-like bacterial cellulose material.

The research addresses growing interest in sustainable materials that reduce environmental reliance on petroleum-based polymers.

Using fluid dynamics to guide bacterial cellulose synthesis

Bacterial cellulose, a naturally derived biopolymer produced by certain strains of bacteria, is known for being biodegradable and biocompatible. However, its mechanical properties have traditionally limited its use as a structural substitute for plastic.

The team used a custom-designed culture system featuring a rotating, oxygen-permeable cylindrical chamber. This setup generates directional fluid flow, which encourages cellulose-producing bacteria to move consistently in a single direction during biosynthesis. As a result, the bacteria produce cellulose nanofibrils that are aligned within the sheet, yielding a material with improved tensile strength, flexibility, foldability, optical transparency and long-term mechanical stability.

"We're essentially guiding the bacteria to behave with purpose. Rather than moving randomly, we direct their motion, so they produce cellulose in an organized way," said study author Maksud Rahman, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Houston.

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