Influence of SCOBY microorganisms’ cultivation conditions on the synthesis efficiency and selected qualities of bacterial cellulose

Abstract

This study examined how nutrients present in the growth environment of microorganisms forming a consortium of bacteria and yeasts, called a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), affect the efficiency of cellulose synthesis and selected properties of the cellulose, such as gloss and color. The results showed that nitrogen-rich ingredients, such as peptone and green tea, increased the efficiency of polymer synthesis and determined the cellulose’s gloss. This research showed that the qualitative characteristics of bacterial cellulose can be easily modified by the appropriate selection of the components of the culture media.

Biocatalysts in Synthesis of Microbial Polysaccharides: Properties and Development Trends

“…The use of natural and synthetic consortia is one of the most popular approaches to the development of BTCs for EPS synthesis (Table 2, Figure 1). Various native consortia composed of different cells including bacteria and fungi (yeasts) are widely known as Kombucha and applied for producing BC with high enough crystallinity [91][92][93]. The native symbiotic consortia of bacteria and yeast cells (SCOBY), however, can ensure only a relatively low rate of BC synthesis compared to bacterial monocultures producing BC [91][92][93].…”

“…Various native consortia composed of different cells including bacteria and fungi (yeasts) are widely known as Kombucha and applied for producing BC with high enough crystallinity [91][92][93]. The native symbiotic consortia of bacteria and yeast cells (SCOBY), however, can ensure only a relatively low rate of BC synthesis compared to bacterial monocultures producing BC [91][92][93]. There are several reasons for this: the concentration of the producing cells in such consortia is less than that in pure cultures; additionally, the degradation of substrates and accumulation of metabolites by BC producers occur in competition with other cells in the consortium.…”

“…It was found that the plant polyphenols present in these media impart antioxidant activity with respect to free radicals to the produced BC biopolymers, which expands the prospects for their use. It has been shown that nitrogen-rich components of the media (peptone or green tea) contribute to an increase in the efficiency of polymer synthesis with SCOBY [92] (Table 2).…”

Multilayered bacterial cellulose/reduced graphene oxide composite films for self-standing and binder-free electrode application

“…BC is a bio-nonwoven material which exhibits high purity, strength, moldability, and water-holding ability. Symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) BC is a type of BC materials that has gained scientific attention [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. SCOBY BC is formed on the liquid-air interface during kombucha tea fermentation in a medium containing sugar, acetic acid bacteria, and yeast.…”