polymers Article Natural Cellulose Fibers for Surgical Suture Applications María Paula Romero Guambo 1, Lilian Spencer 1, Nelson Santiago Vispo 1 , Karla Vizuete 2 , Alexis Debut 2 , Daniel C. Whitehead 3 , Ralph Santos-Oliveira 4 and Frank Alexis 1,5,* 1 School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Imbabura 100115, Ecuador;
[email protected] (M.P.R.G.);
[email protected] (L.S.);
[email protected] (N.S.V.) 2 Center of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Sangolquí 1715231, Ecuador;
[email protected] (K.V.);
[email protected] (A.D.) 3 Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
[email protected] 4 Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Laboratory of Nanoradiopharmaceuticals and Synthesis of Novel Radiopharmaceuticals, Rio de Janeiro 21941906, Brazil;
[email protected] 5 Biodiverse Source, San Miguel de Urcuquí 100651, Ecuador * Correspondence:
[email protected] Received: 10 November 2020; Accepted: 11 December 2020; Published: 18 December 2020 Abstract: Suture biomaterials are critical in wound repair by providing support to the healing of different tissues including vascular surgery, hemostasis, and plastic surgery. Important properties of a suture material include physical properties, handling characteristics, and biological response for successful performance. However, bacteria can bind to sutures and become a source of infection. For this reason, there is a need for new biomaterials for suture with antifouling properties. Here we report two types of cellulose fibers from coconut (Cocos nucifera) and sisal (Agave sisalana), which were purified with a chemical method, characterized, and tested in vitro and in vivo.