Cellulose, the most abundant polymer on Earth, is produced by countless plants. However, certain bacteria, for example those from the Komagataeibacter family, can also synthesize cellulose. Unlike plant-derived cellulose, bacterial cellulose has a finer structure and greater purity, which makes it useful for specialized applications.
According to Davide Bersanetti, a researcher at Aalto University, the Center for Young Synbio Scientists, the unique structure of bacterial nanocellulose—characterized by nanoscale fibril distances—makes it remarkably pure and mechanically superior. It is also produced without lignins and hemicelluloses, components that are normally removed from plant cellulose in the pulp and paper industry. This makes bacterial nanocellulose a highly pure material with useful mechanical properties.
Applications of Bacterial Cellulose
Bacterial cellulose is already being used in medical applications. It is recognized as non-toxic and safe by the U.S. FDA, and has been used as a scaffold for artificial skin, helping to improve healing in skin burn treatment.
Challenges in Scaling Production
Despite its benefits, bacterial cellulose is not widely produced at an industrial scale. One of the challenges is the genomic instability of Komagataeibacter bacteria, which affects their growth and consistency in cellulose production.
Improving Production Through Genetic Modifications
To address this, Bersanetti is working on improving the genetic stability of Komagataeibacter using transposons, also known as "jumping genes." By randomly removing non-essential genetic material, the goal is to create bacterial strains with smaller genomes that are more stable and grow more efficiently. This could lead to improved cellulose production without relying solely on optimizing external factors like fermentation conditions.
“So far, research has mainly focused on growth conditions and nutrient sources for these bacteria,” Bersanetti explains. “But there is still much to learn about how genetic modifications can contribute to better-performing strains.”
A Step Toward More Efficient Bacterial Cellulose Cultivation
By combining genetic improvements with existing fermentation strategies, Bersanetti’s research could contribute to making bacterial cellulose production more reliable and efficient. If successful, this approach may support its broader use in industries that require high-purity cellulose materials.