Preparation of Bacterial Nanocellulose Pellicles from Cellulose-Producing Bacteria

Source: Arias, S. L., et al. Fabrication of a Functionalized Magnetic Bacterial Nanocellulose with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles. J. Vis. Exp. (2016).This video demonstrates the production of nanocellulose by culturing cellulose-producing bacteria in a nutrient medium containing mannitol. The bacteria metabolize mannitol into glucose, which is then polymerized and extruded as glucan chains that crystallize into cellulose sheets, forming a three-dimensional matrix at the air–liquid interface. The resulting gelatinous pellicles are harvested, purified with alkaline and water washes, and sterilized by autoclaving for further applications.