Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers: Biosynthesis, Unique Properties, Modification, and Emerging Applications

Cellulose is among the world’s wealthiest biopolymers and primarily has a wood, plant, and microbial source. To date, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are synthesized under controlled conditions (temperature, pH, and agitation). The bacterial synthesis of CNFs, so-called bacterial cellulose (BC), has become actively interested in recent times. These emerged natural biopolymers have excellent hydrophilicity, biodegradability, renewability, and mechanical properties. The nanoscale dimension of the synthesized cellulose provides a sizeable functional surface area, low weight and density, and a high-interconnected pore system. Based on these properties, bacterial cellulose nanofibers open a broad range of environmental applications as biosorbents, ultrafiltration membrane, as well as a bio-reducing agent for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles with high photocatalytic activity. Moreover, these nanofibers prove their complete applications in the biomedical, textile, food, and cosmetic industries. The present chapter is devoted to investigating the mechanism of bacterial cellulose nanofibers biosynthesis, functionalization, and its area of applications.