Enhancement of the mechanical and hydration properties of biomedical-grade bacterial cellulose using Laminaria japonica extract

Abstract

This study investigated whether the incorporation of L. japonica extract into bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes enhanced their suitability for biomedical applications such as wound dressings. This extract was added at concentrations of 10 % and 25 % to BC cultures, and we then analyzed its effects on BC-10 and BC-25 production, chemical composition, hydration, and bioactivity. We found that while L. japonica extract did not significantly increase BC yield, it modified membrane microstructure by increasing water absorption and reducing syneresis, two key aspects of biomedical materials. Chemical composition analysis revealed that the L. japonica extract adhered to the BC surface and occupied spaces between fibers in a gel-like state, which is characteristic of this material. Overall, these findings show that BC-25 improved fibroblast viability and promoted the expression of proteins linked to wound healing without causing excessive cell adhesion. Overall, BC-25 exhibits promising material properties-including enhanced hydration and bioactivity-for future biomedical applications.