Biotechnological production of cellulose by Gluconacetobacter xylinus from agricultural waste

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to utilize low quality date syrup, a rich and available source of nutrient in Iran, for the production of bacterial cellulose using Gluconacetobacter xylinus. Static batch fermentation<br />for the purpose of cellulose production by G. xylinus (PTCC, 1734) was studied using low quality date syrup<br />and sucrose solution (Bx. 10%) as fermentation media at 28°C. Results showed that maximum yields of bacterial cellulose after 336 h fermentation were 4.35 and 1.69 g/100 ml of date syrup and sucrose media,<br />respectively. The FT-IR spectrum of commercial plant cellulose as a standard was similar to that of bacterial<br />cellulose. To determine the physical structure of the bacterial cellulose and standard cellulose fibers, scanning<br />electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out. The results revealed more delicacy in structure of bacterial<br />cellulose. Determination of crystallinity of the samples using X-ray diffractometry demonstrated that the crystallinity level of standard cellulose (83.61%) was more than that of bacterial cellulose (60.73%). This study<br />obviously showed the ability of low quality date syrup, a suitable and cheap carbon source, to be used as a<br />substrate in a fermentation medium for production of cellulose by Gluconacetobacter xylinus.