The development of bio-based antimicrobial polymeric composites has never been so urgent. Novel antimi- crobial fibrous-based biocomposites will certainly allow the development of important solutions to fight the present and future Pandemics, while reducing the dependence of petrochemical based polymers and fibers. Lignin has a pivotal function in preventing the invasion of phytopathogens, thus, this work explores the anti- microbial potential of lignin when embedded in a biosynthesized fibrous nanomatrix with superior mechanical properties: bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). Lignin was subjected to alkali treatment to promote the inclusion of lignin within BNC which comprises pores ranging from 20 to 300 nm. Both alkali treatment efficiency, bac- tericidal and antiviral activities were investigatedThe authors would like to acknowledge the project PLASMAMED - PTDC/CTM-TEX/28295/2017 fnanced
by FCT, FEDER and POCI in the frame of the Portugal 2020 program, the project UID/CTM/00264/2019
of 2C2T under the COMPETE and FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) co-fnanced by FEDER through the PT2020
program. Liliana Melro acknowledges her Doctoral grant awarded by FCT (2020.04919.BD)
