Potential of Biocellulose Nanofibers Production from Agricultural Renewable Resources: Preliminary Study

Abstract

In the present preliminary study, we report results for the biocellulose nanofibres production by Gluconacetobacter xylinus. Production was examined by utilizing different feedstocks of single sugars and sugar mixtures with compositions similar to the acid hydrolyzates of different agriculture residues. Profiles for cell proliferation, sugar consumption, and the subsequent pH changes were thoroughly analyzed. Highest biocellulose production of 5.65 g/L was achieved in fructose medium with total sugar consumption of 95.57%. Moreover, the highest production using sugar mixtures was 5.2 g/L, which was achieved in feedstock with composition identical to the acid hydrolyzate of wheat straws. This represented the highest biocellulose yield of 17.72 g/g sugars compared with 14.77 g/g fructose. The lowest production of 1.1 and 1.75 g/L were obtained in xylose and glucose media, respectively, while sucrose and arabinose media achieved relatively higher production of 4.7 and 4.1 g/L, respectively. Deviation in pH of the fermentation broths from the optimum value of 4-5 generally had marked effect on biocellulose production with single sugars in feedstock. However, the final pH values recorded in the different sugar mixtures were approximately 3.3-3.4, which had lower effect on production hindrance. Analyzing profiles for sugars' concentrations and cell growth showed that large amount of the metabolized sugars were mainly utilized for bacterial cell growth and maintenance, rather than biocellulose production. This was clearly observed with single sugars of low production, while sugar consumption was rather utilized for biocellulose production with sugar mixtures. Results reported in this study demonstrate that agriculture residues might be used as potential feedstocks for the biocellulose nanofibres production. Not only this represents a renewable source of feedstock, but also might lead to major improvements in production if proper supplements and control were utilized in the fermentation process.

Bacterial Cellulose Fibers

“…Instead of using single sugars as feedstocks, Dahman et al investigated the ability to produce bacterial cellulose from multiple sugars. Sugar compositions similar to those found in acid hydrolysates of some agricultural residues were utilized with Gluconacetobacter xylinus as the bacteria [10Dah]. Under identical conditions, the bacterial production from single sugars varied from 1.1 to 5.7 g/l compared to 2.4 to 5.2 g/l for the mixed sugars.…”

Bacterial Cellulose Production from Mature Black Spear Grass Hydrolysate by Gluconacetobacter xylinus: Effect of pH, Fermentation Time and Nitrogen Supplementation

“…BC, whether nanofibre or nanocrystal is a much desired biotech material with wide applications in the paper and textile industry and highly demanded in biomedical outfits for treatment of high degree burns, artificial artery for drug delivery, scaffold for tissue engineering as well as food additives and other industrial applications (Klemm et al, 2001;Chalwa et al, 2009;Dahman et al, 2010;Lee et al, 2013;Shah et al, 2013;Keshk, 2014;Zhijun et al, 2014;Tsuoko et al, 2015;Sulaeva et al, 2015;Cacicedo et al, …”

Bacterial Cellulose Nanofiber Reinforced Poly (lactic acid) Nanocomposite

“…BC can be prepared from fermentation process throughout a specific type of bacterial strains. The unique structure of BC is formed from the pure form of cellulose nanofibers, which contains a high degree of crystallinity associated with a high degree of polymerization [6]. These exceptional properties also possess potential forerunner for development technologies in the various significant area, such as tissue engineering, sustainable polymeric biomaterials, and green nanocomposites [7].…”

“…BC nanofiber reinforced into PLA nanocomposite has gained much consideration because of their low density, inexpensive, non-abrasiveness; very low toxicity and degradable properties. Several reports [6][7][8] revealed that the mechanical and thermal properties of degradable polymers are enhanced when using an appropriate Compatibilizer with the cellulose nanofibers. The non-uniform dispersion can cause inferior tensile strength and high-water absorption.…”