Synthesis of spherical bacterial nanocellulose as a potential silver adsorption agent for antimicrobial purposes

Abstract

In this research, bacterial nanocellulose spheres (BNCs) were produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus and employed as adsorbents of silver ions in aqueous solutions. Subsequently, the spheres were employed as bactericidal agents through the disk diffusion method in agar against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Kinetic data were adjusted to the Homogeneous Surface Diffusion Model, presenting an intraparticle diffusivity of silver ions (Dint) of 1.088 x 10-15 m2 s-1. The isotherm data were adjusted to the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Langmuir was the model that best described the adsorption isotherm, where the BNCs presented a maximum adsorption capacity of 55 mg g-1. The results of the disk diffusion method in agar proved the antimicrobial properties of the spheres, with zones of inhibition of 3 mm for E. coli and 2 mm for S. aureus.