Cellulose composition

Abstract

Provided is a cellulose composition, including a plurality of biocelluloses, wherein a diameter of the biocelluloses ranges from 20 to 30 nanometer, and a length of the biocelluloses ranges from 2000 to 3000 nanometer. The biocelluloses have good biocompatibility and can effectively enhance the efficiency of absorption and transmission of substances.

Claims

1. A cellulose composition in the form of a frozen ingot, comprising a plurality of biocelluloses formed by bacteria having a diameter of from 20 nm to 30 nm and a length of from 2000 nm to 3000 nm, wherein the cellulose composition does not comprise a liquid medium, and wherein after addition of 1 ml of water to the cellulose composition in the form of the frozen ingot to form a mixture, a content of the biocelluloses in the mixture is from 0.5% by weight to 1.2% by weight, and the plurality of the biocelluloses in the mixture do not agglomerate, wherein the plurality of the biocelluloses are formed by bacteria of at least one genus selected from the group consisting of Gluconacetobacter, Acetobacter, Rhizobium, Sarcina, Pseudomonas, Achromobacter, Alcaligenes, Enterobacter, Azotobacter and Agrobacterium.

2. The cellulose composition of claim 1, which has an OD620 value of from 0.29 to 1.22 when being dispersed in 0.1 ml of water.

3. The cellulose composition of claim 2, wherein the OD620 value is from 0.43 to 1.22.

4. The cellulose composition of claim 1, further comprising an organic nutrient, an active ingredient or a drug.

5. The cellulose composition of claim 4, wherein the active ingredient is a moisturizing component, a whitening component, an anti-wrinkle component, an exfoliating component, an anti-inflammatory component, a growth factor or an enzyme.

6. A cellulose composition in the form of a frozen ingot, comprising a plurality of biocelluloses formed by bacteria having an aspect ratio of from 66 to 150, wherein the cellulose composition does not comprise a liquid medium, wherein an OD620 value of the cellulose composition dispersed in 0.1 ml of water is from 0.29 to 1.22, and wherein after addition of 1 ml of water to the cellulose composition in the form of the frozen ingot to form a mixture, a content of the biocelluloses in the mixture is from 0.5% by weight to 1.2% by weight, and the plurality of the biocelluloses in the mixture do not agglomerate, wherein the plurality of the biocelluloses are formed by bacteria of at least one genus selected from the group consisting of Gluconacetobacter, Acetobacter, Rhizobium, Sarcina, Pseudomonas, Achromobacter, Alcaligenes, Enterobacter, Azotobacter and Agrobacterium.

7. The cellulose composition of claim 6, further comprising an organic nutrient, an active ingredient or a drug.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(1) The embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of specific examples, and those skilled in the art can readily conceive the advantages and functions of the present disclosure from the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be embodied or applied by other different embodiments, and the various details of the present disclosure may be variously modified and changed, based on different aspects and applications, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, all of the ranges and values herein are inclusive and combinable. Any value or point falling within the ranges recited herein, such as any integer, may be the minimum or maximum value to derive the lower range and the like.

(2) In order to obtain the cellulose composition of the present disclosure, a method for producing the above-described cellulose composition is as described below, comprising steps of: culturing, in a container with a culture solution, bacteria of at least one genus selected from the group consisting of Gluconacetobacter, Acetobacter, Rhizobium, Sarcina, Pseudomonas, Achromobacter, Alcaligenes, Enterobacter, Azotobacter and Agrobacterium for 24 to 96 hours. The culture solution has an agar, and a carbon source, peptone and a yeast extract at a weight ratio of from 5:1:1 to 4:1:1, so as to form a biocellulose membrane with a plurality of biocelluloses interwoven. In the presence of a liquid medium, the biocellulose membrane is homogeneously broken to obtain a dispersion. Based on the total weight of the cellulose composition, under a condition that the amount of the plurality of biocelluloses is greater than 0.2% by weight to 1.2% by weight, mechanical grinding is carried out on the plurality of biocelluloses, and the mechanically grounded dispersion is treated by ultrasonic vibration.

(3) The term static culturing refers to a method in which bacteria form a layered biocellulose membrane on a surface of a culture solution in a nonwoven manner. In addition, the container used for the static culture is preferably a flat container for controlling the oxygen consumption of the bacteria through the lower container height, thereby achieving the regulation of the diameter of the biocellulose. On the other hand, since the network structure formed by the biocelluloses at a surface of the formed biocellulose membrane has a density larger than the one of the network structure inside the biocellulose membrane, the above static culturing and conditions are conducive to subsequently separate the plurality of the biocelluloses interwoven.

(4) The term biocellulose membrane refers to a layer having a multi-layered network structure interwoven by a plurality of biocelluloses.

(5) In an embodiment of an aspect, the formation of the biocellulose membrane is formed by statically culturing bacteria of Gluconacetobacter for fermentation in a culture solution having mannitol, peptone, yeast extract and agar, wherein the resulting biocellulose membrane has a water content of greater than 90%.

(6) More specifically, the formation of the biocellulose membrane includes a culture solution in a container, wherein the composition of the culture solution comprises a carbon sources, a nitrogen source, and a gel support; the gel support is selected from an agar; the carbon source comprises saccharides or sugar alcohols such as mannitol and glucose; and the nitrogen source comprises peptone and yeast extract, and the carbon source, peptone and yeast extract may be at a weight ratio of from 5:1:1 to 4:1:1. Next, the pH of the culture solution is controlled at a pH of 0.5 to 6, and the microorganisms of the Gluconobacter are inoculated, and a range of the absorbance (optical density) of the microbial concentration in the culture solution (a set wavelength of 620 nm) is controlled to be between 0.006 to 0.01.

(7) The culture environment is maintained at from 25 to 28? C., and the microorganisms are statically cultured for fermentation, and the biocellulose membrane is obtained after 24 to 96 hours, wherein the biocellulose membrane has a thickness of from 20 to 30 microns.

(8) In an embodiment of an aspect, the biocellulose membrane has the biocellulose per unit area in an amount of from 0.0013 to 0.0018 g/cm.sup.2 and the biocellulose has a diameter of from 20 to 100 nm.

(9) The homogeneous breakage is carried out by mixing the biocellulose membrane with water, with a homogeneous equipment including a fixed outer cutter having a shearing force and a rotary inner knife having a saw blade shape to obtain a dispersion.

(10) The solution configured for homogeneous breakage treatment may include any of the additives conventionally used in the art. For example, the method for producing the above composition of the present disclosure may include, after homogeneous breakage, a step of adding a treatment liquid to the dispersion to swell the biocellulose.

(11) The swelling or swelling treatment is carried out by penetrating into the interior of the biocellulose through the treatment liquid, weakening the hydrogen bonding between the celluloses. The swelling treatment does not cause excessive hydrolysis of the biocellulose, and can also reduce the energy consumption of the mechanical grinding process. In combination with the synergistic effect of mechanical grinding shear, the glucan chain of the biocellulose is cleaved, the surface of the biocellulose is fibrillated, the specific surface area of the cellulose is increased, and more hydroxyl groups are exposed, so as to enhance the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the biocellulose.

(12) The treatment liquid is at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkali solution, an inorganic salt solution, and an aqueous ionic liquid solution, wherein the alkali includes at least one selected from the group consisting of potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide; the inorganic salt is at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride; the ionic liquid is at least one selected from the group consisting of 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([AMIm]Cl), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride salt ([BMIm]Cl), 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([AMIm]Ac), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([BMIm]Ac), lithium chloride/dimethylarylene (LiCl/DMSO), N-alkylpyridine and dialkyl imidazole. The treatment liquid can also be at least one selected from the group consisting of urea and urea sulfide.

(13) The mechanical grinding is carried out by diluting the dispersion with water, and then grinding it with a horizontal ball mill device to fibrillate a surface of the biocellulose to have a diameter of from 20 to 30 nm and a diameter of from 2,000 to 3,000 nm. An amount of the plurality of biocelluloses for the mechanical grinding is greater than 0.2% by weight based on the total weight of the dispersion.

(14) On the other hand, since the grounded biocellulose has a higher specific surface area, so the electrostatic effect, van der Waals force or hydrogen bonding force among the celluloses are more remarkable, and agglomeration occurs easily. Therefore, the method for producing the above composition of the present disclosure may include, after mechanical grinding, a step of ultrasonically oscillating the grounded dispersion to deagglomerate the agglomerates of the biocelluloses.

(15) By applying the cellulose composition of the present disclosure to a product which is applied on a surface layer of the skin, the absorption and transmission efficiency of the substance are thus enhanced, and functions of the skin with moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and skin elasticity are provided as well.

(16) In addition, the UV-resistant cellulose composition is tested for UV resistance. When the biocellulose content is 0.8% by weight or more, the UVA and UVB transmittances are less than 10%. When applying the cellulose composition of the present disclosure to a product applied on the surface of the skin, an anti-ultraviolet effect is further provided.

(17) In addition, the cellulose composition of the present disclosure is used as an agricultural fertilizer, and the stability of the biocellulose can prevent soil compaction, and exert a good water storage and water release effect, achieving an effect of promoting microbial growth.

(18) Test 1

(19) Samples of the cellulose composition of various biocellulose contents were prepared according to the method described above, samples of specified contents of the cellulose composition and pure water were respectively dropped on a sealing wax film (Parafilm, PM-996) based on Table 1 below, and a contact angle of each of the samples of the cellulose composition was tested and recorded in Table 1 below.

(20) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Biocellulose Contact Contact Contact Contact content angle angle angle angle No. (% by weight) test 1 test 2 test 3 average Pure water 0 108.065 108.197 106.241 107.501 1 0.2 104.591 107.270 106.375 106.079 2 0.4 89.964 98.733 99.111 95.936 3 0.6 100.553 97.371 99.575 99.166 4 0.8 103.099 98.833 96.563 99.498 5 1.0 102.346 108.385 97.136 102.622

(21) According to the results shown in Table 1, when the cellulose composition of the present disclosure is dropped on the surface of the sealing wax film, as compared with the pure water dropped on the surface of the sealing wax film, the contact angle is less than 107?. Obviously, the cellulose composition of the present disclosure has excellent hydrophilicity.

(22) Test 2

(23) Samples of the cellulose composition of various biocellulose contents were prepared according to the method described above, and the biocelluloses of specified content were dispersed in 0.1 ml of water based on Table 2 below. An OD.sub.620 value is measured; sedimentation is observed and checked with a naked eye for 3 days, and was recorded in Table 2 below.

(24) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Biocellulose content No. (% by weight) Sedimentation OD.sub.620 1 0.2 Yes 0.295 2 0.3 No 0.434 3 0.4 No 0.541 4 0.5 No 0.654 5 0.6 No 0.763 6 0.7 No 0.883 7 0.8 No 0.984 8 0.9 No 1.140 9 1.0 No 1.219

(25) According to the results shown in Table 2, when the amount of the plurality of biocelluloses in the cellulose composition is 0.2% by weight or less, the liquid medium and the plurality of biocelluloses are easily affected by the cohesive force to agglomerate, causing delamination and sedimentation.

(26) Test 3

(27) Samples of the cellulose composition of various biocellulose contents were prepared according to the method described above, and the samples of the specified content of the cellulose composition were subjected to a viscosity test by a viscosity meter (Brookfield, rotor H02) according to Table 3 below. The results are recorded in Table 3.

(28) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Biocellulose content Test 1 Test 1 No. (% by weight) (speed 50 rpm) (speed 100 rpm) Average 1 0.2 16 16 16 2 0.4 28.8 28 28.4 3 0.6 96 68 82 4 0.8 200 170.4 185.2 5 1.0 622.08 349.04 485.56
Test 4

(29) Samples of the cellulose composition of various biocellulose contents were prepared according to the method described above, and samples of the specified content of the cellulose composition were made into frozen ingots based on Table 4 below, and the results whether the frozen ingots can be made were recorded.

(30) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Biocellulose Volume of content Made into frozen ingot No. (% by weight) frozen ingot (ml) 1 0.2 No X 2 0.3 No X 3 0.4 No X 4 0.5 Yes 0.4 5 0.6 Yes 0.4 6 0.7 Yes 0.4 7 0.8 Yes 0.4 8 0.9 Yes 0.4 9 1.0 Yes 0.4

(31) According to the results of Table 4, when the amount of the biocellulose in the aqueous cellulose composition is more than 0.4% by weight, the cellulose composition can be made into a frozen ingot product.

(32) Test 5

(33) Samples of the cellulose composition having an amount of 2% by weight of the plurality of biocelluloses were prepared according to the method described above, wherein the sample contained 0.1% by weight of L-ascorbic acid and the rest was saline.

(34) In a container filled with pure water, a percutaneous absorption film (Strat-M, 3M Company) was placed therein, and a temperature of the pure water was maintained at 37? C. A lower surface of the percutaneous absorption film was in contact with pure water, and an upper surface was dropped with 5 ml of the sample. The absorbance (OD.sub.280) in the water below the lower surface of the percutaneous absorption film was tested at different time points. Further, the method was repeated twice, and differences in absorbance at minute 0 and minute 60 were recorded, and an average value calculated from the difference of the absorbance values of the 2 times was 0.098.

(35) On the other hand, the control sample containing no biocellulose was tested twice, and differences in absorbance at Minute 0 and Minute 60 were recorded, and an average value calculated by the difference of the absorbance values of the 2 times was 0.057. As such, the absorbance value of the sample using the cellulose composition of the present disclosure was more decreased, and it shall promote the transdermal absorption of L-ascorbic acid and enhance the antioxidant capacity.

(36) Test 6

(37) Samples of the cellulose composition having a content of 5% by weight of the plurality of biocelluloses were prepared according to the method described above, wherein the sample contained 10% by weight of arbutin and the rest was saline.

(38) In a container filled with pure water, a percutaneous absorption film (Strat-M, 3M Company) was placed therein, and a temperature of the pure water was maintained at 37? C. A lower surface of the percutaneous absorption film was in contact with pure water, and an upper surface was dropped with 5 ml of the sample. The absorbance (OD.sub.280) in the water below the lower surface of the percutaneous absorption film was tested at different time points, to convert a content of the arbutin. It was tested that at Minute 30 and Minute 60, the transdermally absorbed arbutin concentration of the sample of the cellulose composition of the present disclosure was increased from 25 ?g/ml to 35 ?g/ml, while in the control group containing no biocellulose, the arbutin measured at a concentration of about 25 ?g/ml only at Minute 60. Obviously, the sample using the cellulose composition of the present disclosure promotes transdermal absorption of arbutin.

(39) The above embodiments are merely illustrative, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Modifications and variations of the above-described embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. As long as the effects and implementation purposes of the present disclosure are not affected, they should be encompassed in this technical content.