Chelator-mediated biomimetic degradation of cellulose and chitin

Interspecific interactions drive chitin and cellulose degradation by aquatic microorganisms

Complex biopolymers (BPs) such as chitin and cellulose provide the majority of organic carbon in aquatic ecosystems, but the mechanisms by which communities of bacteria in natural systems exploit them are unclear. Previous degradation experiments in artificial systems predominantly used microcosms containing a single bacterial species, neglecting effects of interspecific interactions. By constr...

A biomimetic study of natural attachment mechanisms: imaging cellulose and chitin part 2

To create a model of a biomimetic product from the A. minus hook after a biomimetic methodology has been applied, this paper describes an investigation into the most appropriate method of shape acquisition for the purposes of reproduction and product development towards manufacture. This morphological study investigates confocal microscopy, SEM and other microscopy techniques. Confocal microsco...

Formation of nematic ordered cellulose and chitin

We proposed in a previous paper a unique form of j3-glucan association, nematic ordered cellulose (NOC) that is molecularly ordered, yet non-crystalline. NOC has unique characteristics; in particular, its surface properties provide with a function of tracks or scaffolds for regulated movements and fiber-production or Acetobacter xylinum [Kondo et al. 2002. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99: 14008-1...

Comparative degradation kinetic studies of three biopolymers: Chitin, chitosan and cellulose

Cellulose, chitin and chitosan are the most abundant biopolymer on earth and constitute an important class of biodegradable materials. The decomposition of three major biopolymers viz. chitin, chitosan and cellulose are studied using simultaneous thermal analysis i.e. thermogravimetry/differential thermal analyzer (TG/DTA). Thermal analysis is performed from ambient temperature to 700 °C in a f...

Bacterial Cellulose-Based Biomimetic Composites