Production methods for bacterial biomaterials: A review

Alternatives for synthetic materials are necessary to meet climate goals and reduce waste. Biomaterials derived from the extracellular matrix of various bacteria provide a solution to these pressing issues due to their diverse material properties and applications. This review explores a wide range of biofilm producing bacteria, equipping researchers, and manufacturers with information regarding growth conditions and material characteristics to enable sustainable bacteria-derived material innovation. Data on extracellular matrix producing bacteria strains is presented, including information on material properties, production methods, material characteristics, and economic feasibility. This provides a valuable tool kit to help selection of bacteria strains for a variety of products and applications. Currently, there is a notable research need in the range of bacteria that produce extracellular matrix in the field of material science. Through the identification of barriers and the proposition of solutions such as genetic modification, system design, growth medium supplements, and rotating magnetic fields, researchers can sustain their innovation efforts. This, in turn, contributes to the improved quality and accessibility of cost-effective bacterial-produced biomaterials. This review addresses this need and aims to enable the creation of bio-derived materials by leveraging microbiology.