Abstract Bacterial cellulose (BC) is promising as a wound dressing because it is non- toxic and maintains moisture in the wound. Although BC does not have antimicrobial activity, its structure allows the incorporation of antimicrobial compounds such as essential oils (EOs). This study aims to associate BC with rosemary, clove, eucalyptus, ginger, lavender and lemongrass EOs to obtain wound dressings. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analyses showed characteristic compounds of EOs in the incorporated membranes. These compounds reduced the thermal stability of most samples due to their different degrees of volatility. The Scanning Electron Microscopy indicated that the EOs filled the membrane pores and coated the cellulose fibers. Samples incorporated with clove, ginger and lemongrass EOs inhibited Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans due to the presence of eugenol and citral. The results confirmed the incorporation method's effectiveness, maintaining the composition and antimicrobial characteristics of the EOs.

Abstract Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) membranes have interconnected porous nanostructures and excellent biocompatibility. Functionalizing these with calcium phosphate sources and metal ions confers optimized properties to the biomaterial. This study aims to synthesize BNC membranes, functionalize them with copper and magnesium apatites, characterize and evaluate their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial potential. Membranes were synthesized for 8 days in Mannitol Medium. The biocomposite production was by immersion cycles. The biocomposites were characterized by porosity and swelling capacity, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), antimicrobial properties and cytotoxicity assays. The FTIR and SEM results showed that phosphate groups were incorporated into the BNC. The TGA analysis also indicated the incorporation of the inorganic phase. The membrane functionalization with Cu promoted the antimicrobial properties of the biomaterial. However, functionalization with Mg had a more positive behavior on cell viability, proving to be more suitable for use as an implantable material.

Resumo Poli(3-hidroxibutirato) [P(3HB)] é um poliéster natural, biodegradável e é considerado um substituto atrativo para polímeros petroquímicos, pois tem a vantagem de ser degradado em solo dentro de alguns meses por micro-organismos. Este trabalho explora três estratégias para sintetizar P(3HB) a partir de Cupriavidus necator tendo glicerol como cosubstrato: cultivo sem glicerol, com adição de 20 g L–1 de glicerol na fase de produção do polímero e 20 g L–1 de glicerol no início do cultivo, a fim de avaliar o seu efeito sobre o crescimento celular e a síntese do polímero. Os resultados mostraram que a adição de glicerol no início do cultivo conduziu a maiores valores de percentagem de acúmulo de P(3HB) (64,12%). No entanto, nos experimentos sem glicerol podem ser observados maiores valores para fator de conversão em substrato (0,17 g g–1). Esses parâmetros apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas em função da estratégia de cultivo utilizado.

Abstract Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] is a natural, biodegradable polyester and is considered an attractive substitute for the petrochemical polymers, because has advantage of being degraded in the soil within a few months by microorganisms. This work exploits three strategies to synthesize P(3HB) from of the Cupriavidus necator with glycerol as co-substrate: cultivation without glycerol, with addition of 20 g L–1 glycerol in the phase of polymer producing and addition of 20 g L–1 of glycerol at the start of cultivation, in order to evaluate its effect on cell growth and the synthesis of the polymer. The results showed that the addition of glycerol at the start of culture led to highest values of accumulation percentage the P(3HB) (64.12%). However, in the experiments without glycerol can be observed higher values toward biomass to substrate yield (0.17 g g–1). These parameters presented statistically significant differences in function of the cultivation strategy used.

RESUMO Queimaduras causam lesões do revestimento epitelial, a partir de um agente externo, podendo variar desde uma pequena bolha flictena até formas mais graves, capazes de desencadear respostas sistêmicas. O uso de curativos contendo substâncias cicatrizantes e antimicrobianas é uma opção para terapia local. Os curativos de nanocelulose bacteriana (BNC) já demonstraram seu grande potencial de aplicação devido às suas propriedades como alto teor de pureza, alto poder de absorção de água e ótima adaptabilidade biológica. A incorporação de metais na membrana de nanocelulose é bastante promissora. Nanopartículas de prata (NPAgs) têm sido objeto de vários estudos devido às suas propriedades antibacterianas; nitrato de cério, Ce(NO3)3, por sua vez, aumenta a eficácia no tratamento por apresentar propriedades imunomoduladoras. O objetivo deste trabalho foi sintetizar e caracterizar membranas de nanocelulose bacteriana funcionalizadas com nitrato de cério e nanopartículas de prata visando aplicação no tratamento de pele humana lesionada por queimadura. O comportamento térmico, interações entre a BNC, Ce(NO3)3 e NPAg, bem como a morfologia, capacidade de retenção de água, reidratação e potencial antimicrobiano foram analisadas por termogravimentria (TGA), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), análise de conteúdo de capacidade de água, capacidade de reidratação e atividade antimicrobiana. A membrana formada pela incorporação de Ce(NO3)3 e NPAgs simultaneamente, e submetida ao tratamento térmico, conservou as propriedades térmicas de ambos os materiais, assim como também boa capacidade de reidratação e um potencial de redução microbiana de 98% para Staphylococcus aureus. A análise de MEV apresentou alteração na morfologia, redução de poros e a presença de partículas, o que sugere adequada incorporação dos compostos.

ABSTRACT Burns cause lesions of the epithelial lining, from an external agent, and can range from a small injury to more severe forms, capable of triggering systemic responses. The use of dressings containing healing and antimicrobial substances are options for local therapy. Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) dressings have already demonstrated their great potential due to their properties such as high purity, high water absorption capacity and optimum biological adaptability. The incorporation of metals in the nanocellulose membrane is quite promising. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been studied because of their antibacterial properties; cerium nitrate, Ce(NO3)3, on the other hand, increases the efficacy of the treatment because of its immunomodulatory properties. The objective of this work was to synthesize and characterize bacterial nanocellulose membranes functionalized with cerium nitrate and silver nanoparticles aiming the treatment of human skin that has been subject to burning injuries. Thermal behavior, interactions between BNC, Ce(NO3)3 and AgNP, as well as morphology, water retention capacity, rehydration capacity and antimicrobial potential were analyzed by thermogravimetry (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), analysis of water content, rehydration capacity and antimicrobial activity. Membranes formed by incorporation of Ce(NO3)3 and AgNPs simultaneously, and submitted to heat treatment, preserved thermal properties of both materials, as well as a good rehydration capacity and a microbial reduction potential of 98% for Staphylococcus aureus. SEM analysis showed changes in morphology, pore size reduction and the presence of particles, what suggest successful incorporation of the compounds.

A indústria de papel e celulose contribui para a contaminação ambiental devido aos resíduos gerados, especialmente, no processo de branqueamento da polpa Kraft, realizada com cloro. Basideomicetos saprófitas têm a capacidade de degradar compostos organoclorados como cloroligninas e clorofenóis. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a capacidade de Pleurotus ostreatus DSM 1833 em degradar 2,4-diclorofenol, importante poluente encontrado nos efluentes da indústria de papel e celulose. Utilizando um planejamento fatorial 2², as concentrações de glicose e de 2,4-diclorofenol variaram entre 0 e 10 g.L-1 e 5 e 30 mg.L-1, respectivamente. A melhor taxa global de degradação foi obtida usando-se 30 mg.L-1 de 2,4-diclorofenol na ausência de glicose. Este meio de cultura foi utilizado para a ampliação da escala do processo, resultando em uma taxa global de biodegradação de 0,47 mg.L-1.h-1. Um teste comparativo entre o meio inoculado e o controle abiótico demonstrou que 54,1% da degradação do 2,4-diclorofenol pode ser atribuída à presença de Pleurotus ostreatus.

This work aimed to investigate the capacity of Pleurotus ostreatus DSM 1833 to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenol, important pollutant found in the wastewaters of the paper and cellulose industry. Using a factorial design 2², the concentrations of glucose and 2,4-dichlorophenol varied between 0 and 10g.L-1 and 5 and 30mg.L-1, respectively. The best global biodegradation rate was obtained using 30 mg.L-1 of 2,4- dichlorophenol in the absence of glucose. This culture medium was used for scaling up the process, resulting in a global biodegradation rate of 0.47mg.L-1.h-1. A comparative test between an inoculated medium and an abiotic control demonstrated that 54.1% of 2,4- dichlorophenol degradation could be attributed to the presence of P. ostreatus.

Due to its biodegradability, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) P(3-HB) has attracted much attention in the environmental sector. However, some characteristics of this polymer, such as high crystallinity, poor processability and high brittleness, have lead several research groups to study polymeric blends in order to modify P(3-HB) properties. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) is a synthetic polyester which is completely degraded after about one year when buried in soil. In general, it acts as a polymeric plasticizer lowering the elastic modulus and enhancing the processability of the blend. Blends of two biodegradable polymers, P(3-HB) and PCL have been prepared by casting in different compositions. Miscibility, thermal behavior and morphology of these blends were studied using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarizing light microscopy (PLM). The two glass transition temperatures, detected by MDSC, suggest the immiscibility of the system. Phase separation was confirmed by PLM.