Bacterial Cellulose Nanobiocomposites for Dental Materials Scaffolds

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has become established as a remarkably versatile biomaterial and can be used in a wide variety of scientific applications, especially for medical devices. In this work, the bacterial cellulose fermentation process is modified by the addition of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid (1% w/w) to the culture medium before the bacteria is inoculated. Besides, biomimetic precipitation of calcium phosphate of biological interest from simulated body fluid on bacterial cellulose was studied. Chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid effects in bacterial cellulose were analyzed using transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), XRD (X-ray diffraction) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis showed interaction between bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites and calcium phosphate. XRD demonstrated amorphous calcium phosphate, carbonated apatite and calcium chloride on bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites. Monocalcium phosphate monohydrate phase formation [Ca(H2PO4)(2)center dot H2O] are here attested by FTIR, XRD and Ca/P relation.