Gradually-frozen aligned bacterial nanocellulose membranes loaded with gallic acid exhibit enhanced mechanical and dual antithrombotic–antimicrobial properties

This study introduces a novel “gradual freezing” method to fabricate directionally aligned bacterial nanocellulose (GF-BNC) membranes, enhancing their mechanical strength while maintaining porosity. Using glycerol as a plasticizer and solvent, gallic acid was incorporated into GF-BNC to form multifunctional GF-GG-BNC membranes with antibacterial and antithrombotic properties. UniVert tensile and torsional tests showed GF-GG-BNC possessed superior elasticity (strain ~99%) compared to air- or freeze-dried BNC, while maintaining structural stability. GF-GG-BNC effectively inhibited E. coli and S. aureus growth, prevented biofilm formation, and delayed plasma clotting without cohesive fibrin formation. The material demonstrates strong potential for wound dressings and blood-contacting biomaterial applications.