Performance Improvement of Hydrophobized Bacterial Cellulose Films as Wound Dressing

In the wound dressing research field, there is a continuous search for high-quality materials which present properties superior to those already used. Bacterial cellulose films are recognized as being effective, but their performance can still be further enhanced. On the other hand, wound dressings which present surfaces modified with hydrophobic molecules, such as dialkyl carbamoyl chloride, appear to be an alternative material, acting as antimicrobial dressings. Based on that, this paper describes the synthesis of small hydrophobic molecules based on inexpensive alcohols, such as octyl and benzyl alcohol, conjugated to the hydroxyl groups of bacterial cellulose. The films were prepared using ultrasound irradiation and characterized via infrared, as well as for their wettability and water absorption capacity, which showed greater contact angles and similar moisture retention when compared to unmodified films. Morphological aspects of modified films were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and minimal modification in the structure was found. The hydrophobized cellulose films showed cytocompatibility with fibroblasts, and antimicrobial activity when compared to native bacterial cellulose films, by reducing the bacterial load up to 75%. This type of modification on these films is of interest in order to prepare films with better properties as dressings based on bacterial cellulose.