The developed
gel-like cellulose pellicle was then purified by washing with deionized
(DI) water, treated with 1.0% (w/v) NaOH at 35 ◦C for 24 h
to remove bacterial cells and rinsed with DI water until the pH
was 7.0. The never dried BC was stored in DI water at 4 ◦C before
use