The versatile world of cellulose-based materials in healthcare: From production to applications

Cellulose is the most abundant natural biopolymer that can be extracted directly from plants using various treatments (alkalis, acids, ultrasonic or enzymatic treatments) or produced by microbial fermentation. It is biodegradable, biocompatible, noncytotoxic, nongenotoxic, and easily amendable, making it the most desirable material for use in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. The thermal, surface, and mechanical properties can be improved by using surface modification or blending with other natural polymers like alginate, polylactic acid, gelatin, etc., or using metal-based nanoparticles. Such nanocomposites, cellulose graft copolymers, and nanocrystals have been widely explored for applications in food, textile, wastewater, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. Cellulose-derived materials have shown tremendous potential to be used as the backbone for developing wound dressings, face masks, fabrication of hydrogels, scaffolds for tissue engineering, biosensors, blood vessels, biomedicines, and drug delivery systems. The current review provides insights into cellulose production from different resources and its modification to produce high-value-added materials for biomedical applications.

Automated summary

Cellulose is a versatile natural biopolymer that can be obtained from plants or produced through microbial fermentation. It possesses desirable properties, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, noncytotoxicity, nongenotoxicity, and easy modification, making it highly suitable for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Surface modification, blending with other natural polymers, or incorporation of metal-based nanoparticles can enhance its thermal, surface, and mechanical properties. Cellulose-based materials, such as nanocomposites, graft copolymers, and nanocrystals, have been extensively investigated for use in various industries, including food, textiles, wastewater treatment, biomedical engineering, and drug delivery systems. This review provides insights into cellulose production and modification for the development of high-value-added materials in biomedical applications.