Development of bacterial cellulose for temporary skin substitute

Abstract

Thin films of bacterial cellulose (BC) from nata de coco culture system were developed, characterized and investigated for the growth of human keratinocytes and fobroblasts. The average pore diameter and total surface area of the dried BC films estimated by BET were 224 [aungstrom] degree Celsius A and 12.62 m[superscript 2] /g, respectively. With the film thickness 0f 0.12 mm, the average tensile strength and break strain of the dried films were 5.21 MPa and 3.75 % while those of the wet films were 1.56 MPa and 8.00 %, respectively. The water absorption capacity of air-dried film was 5.09 g water/g dried films. For the uses in the therapy of skin wounds, the potential biological mechanism of action of BC film was evaluated by using human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Our results were the first direct demonstration that BC film supported the growth, spreading and migration of human keratinocytes, but not those of human fibroblasts. Expressions of E-cadherin and alpha-3 chain of laminin confirmed the phenotype of human keratinocyte on BC film.