Nanocellulose: Insight into health and medical applications

Abstract

Discovering biomaterials of renewable and sustainable has become primary goal among researchers as a way to mitigate environmental impact. One of those abundantly present is cellulosic materials. Agricultural waste such as banana rachis, wheat straw, cassava bagasse, and coconut husk have been identified as a reliable resources in the production of cellulose fibers, a natural fillers for composite applications. Due to its high strength and stiffness, biodegradable, and biocompatible, this material has found its way in health and medical applications. Crystalline nanocellulose offers several advantages as pharmaceutical excipient that favors the extended and control release of the drugs. Whereas cellulose fiber has been incorporated and used as reinforce material for various hydrogel and composites in the development of biomaterial implants that are used as cell scaffolds or in vitro tissue reconstruction including skins replacements for burnings and wounds dressing, blood vessel growth, gum and bone reconstruction, and cardiac valve and blood stent. This chapter will focus on those development and potential applications.