Valorization of Pomace Waste for the Production of Cellulose by <i>Komagataeibacter diospyri</i> RSA4

In this study, the mixed extract of pomace waste of sweet lime, apple, and pineapple was used as a culture media for the production of cellulose by Komagataeibacter diospyri RSA4. Maximum cellulose yield was found at an inoculum age (48 h), inoculum size (6% v/v), pH (4.0), temperature (30°C), incubation period (15 days), and media:flask volume (1:2.5). Cellulose yield was about 1.78-fold higher in mixed pomace waste extract (PE)-based medium in comparison to Hestrin-Schramm (HS) media. The maximum yield of cellulose was obtained with mixed PE-based medium, supplemented with 30 g/L glucose, 20 g/L peptone, 20 g/L yeast extract, 1.15 g/L citric acid, and 2.5 g/L disodium hydrogen phosphate. Cellulose yield was nearly 6.03-fold higher in supplemented mixed PE (SPE)-based medium than in standard HS medium. Comparative analysis of purified cellulose produced in mixed PE medium, SPE medium, and standard HS media was done by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric study, and derivative of thermogravimetric analysis, and cellulose was found to be similar in all the three media. This study shows that the mixed PE can be utilized as a potentially sustainable and valorizable media for production of bacterial cellulose. This is the first report, showing valorization of mixed pomace waste for the production of cellulose.