Structural and functional characterization of bacterial cellulose from Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. steigerwaltii strain ZKE7

The present investigation reports, the bacterial cellulose (BC) a high-purity polymer produced from isolated strain ZKE7. BC production was optimized by Plackett–Burman and central composite designs yielding 18.5 g/l BC with a 4.5-fold enhancement. BC composites functionalized with antibiotics, BC-gelatin hydrogel, BC-Chitosan hydrogel and BC silver nanoparticle composites were developed and evaluated for water retention capability, moisture content and protein adsorption. The drug release behavior of the composites was consistent for controlled drug delivery. Composites were assessed for functional characteristic such as antimicrobial properties. BC composites functionalized with Neotericine exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Other composites showed pronounced antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus. Structural and thermal characterization of BC composites was carried out by FTIR, SEM with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, TGA and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The results reveal high BC production with excellent properties that can be employed in biomedical field.