An Observation of Hydrocolloid Effects on Bacterial Cellulose

Microbial or Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a polysaccharide synthesized by bacteria, with Komagataeibacter xylinus being the primary producer. BC is known for its high biodegradability, biocompatibility, and mechanical strength, making it of interest to various industries such as biomedical, pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics. However, its low production rate has led researchers to explore methods to enhance its production, including the addition of various substances such as food additives, supplementary elements, and hydrocolloids. This study investigates the effects of adding hydrocolloids such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and xanthan gum (XG) at different concentrations on BC features and BC yield produced by K. xylinus. The findings indicate that the highest production of bacterial cellulose (BC) occurred at an optimal carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) concentration of 1.5% (w/v), whereas the most significant BC production was observed at a xanthan gum (XG) concentration of 0.2% (w/v). Moreover, the introduction of CMC and XG had notable effects on BC morphology, crystallinity, and the presence of functional groups.