Ecologically Modified Leather of Bacterial Origin.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a promising biomaterial but becomes brittle upon drying.
• Current applications are limited by BNC's poor flexibility and processability.
• Need for eco-friendly plasticization methods to enhance BNC's industrial applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative, environmentally friendly plasticised BNC material.
• To investigate the efficacy of vegetable oils (rapeseed, linseed, grapeseed) for BNC plasticization.
• To evaluate the role of natural compatibilisers (chlorophyll, curcumin, L-glutamine) in the plasticization process.

Main Methods:

• Ecological modification of BNC using rapeseed, linseed, and grapeseed oils.
• Incorporation of natural compatibilisers with vegetable oils.
• Vacuum filtration technique for oil/additive impregnation into BNC.
• Characterization using FTIR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and static mechanical analysis.

Main Results:

• Successful plasticization of BNC was achieved through vegetable oil modification.
• Rapeseed oil demonstrated superior performance in plasticizing BNC.
• Modified BNC exhibited improved strength and elasticity.
• FTIR, contact angle, and mechanical tests confirmed successful modification.

Conclusions:

• Vegetable oil modification offers an effective and sustainable method for plasticizing bacterial nanocellulose.
• Rapeseed oil is a highly effective plasticizer for BNC, yielding a material with desirable mechanical properties.
• This approach enables the development of eco-friendly alternatives to animal skins and synthetic polymers.