Cellulose nanocrystals: a versatile nanoplatform for emerging biomedical applications

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are bio-based nanomaterials typically derived from the acid hydrolysis of the most abundant natural polymer, cellulose. These nanomaterials have garnered significant interest due to their unique properties, such as uniform rod-like shape, high surface area, high strength, liquid crystalline behavior, tailored surface chemistry, biocompatibility, biodegradability, sustainability and non-toxic carbohydrate-based nature.

Areas covered: The recent developments in the use of unmodified and modified CNCs as versatile nanoplatforms for emerging biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems, enzyme/protein immobilization scaffolds, bioimaging, biosensing and tissue engineering are highlighted. A brief discussion of the biological and toxicity properties of CNCs is also presented.

Expert opinion: While a number of recent studies have indicated that CNCs are promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications, there is a substantial amount of work that still remains to be done before realizing the full therapeutic potential of CNCs. Major effort should be focused on detailed in vitro and in vivo studies of modified CNCs constructs in order to better understand the integration of CNCs in the biological systems.

KEYWORDS:

• Bioimaging
• biological properties
• cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs)
• drug delivery
• tissue engineering
• toxicity

Article highlights

• CNCs in drug delivery applications have gained substantial importance.

• CNCs as valuable platforms for enzyme and protein immobilization.

• Fluorescent CNCs for bioimaging, biosensing and biorecognition applications.

• Initial studies have shown that CNCs are promising scaffolds for tissue engineering.

• Biological properties and toxicological studies of CNCs as well as future challenges for integration of CNCs in the biological system are highlighted.

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Declaration of interests

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.