Cellulose and its derivatives: towards biomedical applications

Abstract Cellulose is the most abundant polysaccharide on Earth. It can be obtained from a vast number of sources, e.g. cell walls wood and plants, some species bacteria, algae, as well tunicates, which are only known cellulose-containing animals. This inherent abundance naturally paves way for discovering new applications this versatile material. review provides an extensive survey cellulose its derivatives, their structural biochemical properties, with overview in tissue engineering, wound dressing, drug delivery systems. Based available means selecting physical features, dimensions, shapes, exists morphological forms fiber, microfibril/nanofibril, micro/nanocrystalline cellulose. These different cellulosic particle types arise due to diversity among source organic materials or specific conditions biosynthesis processing that determine consequent geometry dimension particles. particles, building blocks, produce microstructures needed numerous biomedical applications. Despite having great potential various fields, use has been mainly limited industrial use, less early interest towards field. Therefore, highlights recent developments preparation methods derivatives create novel properties benefiting appropriate