Nanocellulose/Selenoglutathione-Enhanced Antioxidant, Elastic, Antibacterial, and Conductive Hydrogels as Strain Sensors

The fabrication of highly antioxidant, elastic, antibacterial, and conductive hydrogels is a significant pursuit in the domain of wearable technology. However, achieving these properties simultaneously in a single hydrogel matrix while maintaining superior sensing capabilities poses a substantial challenge. In this study, we developed an advanced hydrogel with enhanced elasticity, antioxidant, conductivity, and antibacterial properties, utilizing natural and biodegradable cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a reinforcement. This was achieved through the synergistic integration of glutathione (GSH), selenoglutathione (GSeH), biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (BioSeNPs), and CNC. In addition, Saccharomyces boulardii served as the initial strain, and atmospheric room temperature plasma mutagenesis was utilized to generate a high-yield GSH variant. The incorporation of GSH, GSeH, BioSeNPs, and CNC conferred the hydrogel with remarkable elasticity, antioxidant activity, fatigue resistance, and robust antibacterial properties. This study introduces a novel methodology for the synthesis of high-performance hydrogels, paving the way for their application in biomedical engineering and sensor technology.