Title: Microbial cellulose production from Acetobacter
Abstract:
Microbial cellulose is a homopolysaccharide with diverse industrial applications, distinguished by its unique structural and mechanical properties and exceptional purity compared to plant cellulose. Its superior characteristics, such as high tensile strength, increased polymerization, and remarkable crystallinity, are attributed to its microfibrillar structure. Unlike plant-derived cellulose, microbial cellulose fibers are significantly thinner, resulting in a highly porous material. This porosity facilitates the delivery of antibiotics or other therapeutic agents to wound sites while providing a physical barrier against external infections, making microbial cellulose an ideal candidate for wound healing applications. Several bacterial genera, including Agrobacterium, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Sarcina, and Acetobacter, are known producers of microbial cellulose. This study focuses on the isolation, identification, and screening of cellulose-producing Acetobacter species, followed by the optimization of cellulose production. Natural sources such as decaying fruits and vegetables were utilized for isolating potential microbial cellulose producers. The aim of this research is to isolate Acetobacter species and optimize microbial cellulose production for potential applications.
