Hemp fiber could be transformed into a high-value nanomaterial with uses in infection control and advanced drug delivery, potentially adding new value streams to the industrial hemp fiber sector, according to a study by researchers in Turkey.
“Carbonized nanocellulose produced from hemp fibers, when used as an antibiotic carrier, can provide the release of antibiotics that act directly on the bacteria present in the biofilm,” the researchers wrote. “The antibacterial properties of nanocellulose can help control infections by inhibiting biofilm formation or killing bacteria on existing biofilm.”
Infection control
The research team extracted micron-scale cellulose from hemp and converted it into carbonized nanocellulose (CCN), a material with a particle size of just 35 nanometers – about one 2,000th the width of a human hair. The team then loaded the CCN with ciprofloxacin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly used to treat urinary tract, respiratory, and skin infections. They tested its performance against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two pathogens known for forming persistent biofilms in wounds and on medical devices.
The results were striking, according to the study: at a strong dose, the new material stopped nearly 95% of harmful bacteria from forming layers. It also kept fighting bacteria over time—important for things like medical bandages and coatings.
Broader applications
The study points to a wide range of downstream applications. “Nanocellulose … could be used to improve mechanical properties of various materials such as composite materials, ceramics, metals, biocompatible medical devices (e.g., implants, wound dressings, drug delivery systems), sensors, capacitors, and conductors,” the paper notes.
The method yielded a 76% conversion rate from raw hemp fiber to purified cellulose and ultimately CCN. For hemp processors, that suggests potential integration with existing fiber processing lines that make high-grade technical fiber streams in which consistency and quality are closely managed.
Long-term challenges
While scaling up production and securing regulatory approval remain long-term challenges, the research supports the idea that industrial hemp can be leveraged for cutting-edge biomedical materials—not just bulk fiber, but smart, functionalized derivatives that serve real clinical needs.
The full study appears in Cellulose, a part of Springer Nature, the German academic publisher that produces journals, books, and research platforms including Nature and Cellulos.