Fermentation Techniques and Biotechnological Applications of Modified Bacterial Cellulose: An Up-to-Date Overview

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a pure exocellular polysaccharide produced by micro-organisms. It has several properties in comparison with plant-derived cellulose that make it perfectly suitable for many applications, ranging from the food industry to the biomedical area. Different production methods and modification or functionalization procedures have been investigated in response to the many possible attractive applications of BC. This review overviews the different fermentation techniques and functionalization methods together with the main possible biotechnological applications of BC for food industry and biomedical purposes.