Hydrogel Fiber Cultivation Method for Forming Bacterial Cellulose Microspheres

• Main Authors: Kazuhiko Higashi, Norihisa Miki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-01-01
• Series: Micromachines
• Subjects: microbeads; microcarriers; microbes; microfabrication; microfluidics; droplet; emulsion; monodispersity
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/9/1/36

Forming microspheres or microbeads from nanofibrous materials has recently attracted research interest for their applications in various fields, because these structures greatly impact cellular behaviors and functions. However, conventional methods of preparing microspheres or microbeads have limitations, such as limited variety of material. Here, we propose a new fabrication process for forming a nanofibrous microsphere composed of bacterial cellulose (BC), which is synthesized through fermentation by specific bacteria. The process uses a hydrogel fiber containing spherical cavities. The bacteria encapsulated into the cavities produce BC, resulting in the formation of BC microspheres. Because of its simplicity, robustness, and cost-effectiveness, this process is promising for applications, such as in biochemical engineering and cell delivery systems.