Biotechnological Production of Cellulose by Gluconacetobacter Xylinus from Agricultural Waste

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 fermentationfor the purpose of cellulose production by G. xylinus (PTCC, 1734) was studied using low quality date syrupand 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,respectively. The FT-IR spectrum of commercial plant cellulose as a standard was similar to that of bacterialcellulose. To determine the physical structure of the bacterial cellulose and standard cellulose fibers, scanningelectron microscopy (SEM) was carried out. The results revealed more delicacy in structure of bacterialcellulose. 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 studyobviously showed the ability of low quality date syrup, a suitable and cheap carbon source, to be used as asubstrate in a fermentation medium for production of cellulose by Gluconacetobacter xylinus.