Methods were developed to make remarkable changes in the bacterial cellulose (BC) matrix organization and, consequently, functional properties of bacterial cellulose (BC). In one approach, BC producing cells were induced by a well-defined atomized droplet nutrient delivery (ADND) system to form pellicles with a regular layered morphology that persists throughout the mat depth. In contrast, the morphology of mats formed by conventional static medium nutrient delivery (SMND) is irregular with no distinguishable pattern. We will also report on other details of the structures formed and the corresponding mat properties. In another approach, gelatin was added to cultivation media at 0.1-7.5 wt%. After cultivations, gelatin was removed from the BC matrix and its effects on BC matrix characteristics and fermentation production efficiency were determined. Higher contents of gelatin in cultivation media (up to 5%) resulted in BC that, from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, had larger pore sizes and formation of a lamina morphology that was highly unidirectional. Other features of the BC formed such as water content, dense-layer and pore dimensions as well as cultivation yields and productivities will be presented.

Control of bacterial cellulose morphology

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ACS Fall 2022

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