Kombucha is a fermented drink with probiotic activity in which Acetobacter xylinum, Gluconacetobacter xylinus and other microorganisms have been identified. During the lactic fermentation of Kombucha, a bacterial cellulose (BC) biofilm is formed at the air-culture medium interphase. In general, BC is comprised of fibers of less than 0.1 µm diameters. It has a high crystallinity (ca. 60%), high resistance, high water absorption, it is lignin free and it is also biocompatible. This work studied both; the effect of the culture medium in the production of BC and the effect of a sanitization method. The best culture media, using glucose as carbon source, were a fertilizer (0.435 g BC / g C) and a yeast nitrogen based (YNB) medium (0.398 g B / g C). Yields were 0.176 g BC L-1 day-1 and 0.193 g BC L-1 day-1 respectively and SEM images showed fibers of around 0.1 μm. While chlorine (10%, 3 min) eliminated the microorganisms on the biofilm, it also bleached the BC. The biocompatibility and physicochemical characteristics of BC make it a good material with potential biotechnological applications ranging from hydrogels, super absorbent materials, scaffolding for the treatment of burns and bone regeneration among others. Therefore, studies to optimize its production, characterization and purification are of great importance in the area.

Effect of the culture medium in the production of bacterial cellulose from kombucha

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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