Researchers from Embrapa, the University of Minho (Portugal), and the Federal University of Ceará (Universidade Federal do Ceará - UFC), have started a project to develop bioactive packaging from bacterial cellulose. The bilateral project is supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq) and Portugal's Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT). In addition to studying the development of films containing bioactive compounds, the project aims to research the applications of bacterial cellulose as a food additive, as a thickener, texture modifier, and fiber to reduce the caloric intake from food. The study stipulates the development of bacterial cellulose from agriculturally-based culture media at competitive costs. The researchers also intend to study the deconstruction of the material to obtain nanocellulose. Bacterial cellulose has attracted attention in the scientific and technological arena due to the fact it is biocompatible, atoxic, non-allergenic, and presents high porosity, high degree of polymerization, low density, and high capacity for water absorption and retention. The characteristics of bacterial cellulose allow for applications in textile industries, food industries, electroacoustic machinery, medicine, dentistry, and even for the development of materials used in bulletproof vests. Professor Miguel Gama, from the University of Minho's Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering (IBB) has visited Fortaleza, Ceará, to kickstart the project, which will last for two years. During his stay, he delivered two lectures on the applications of bacterial cellulose, on January 29 and February 02, at Embrapa Tropical Agroindustry. IBB has been researching bacterial cellulose for about a decade and has several ongoing projects on the topic. The main goal is to develop technologies that make industrial production feasible. Miguel Gama explained that, unlike plant cellulose, which is associated with other materials, bacterial cellulose offers a high level of purity. Moreover, it possesses higher capacity for water absorption. Such characteristics make bacterial cellulose a more interesting choice for some areas - such as medicine, for instance - than plant cellulose. Translation Mariana de Lima Medeiros