Bacterial nanocellulose from agro-industrial waste: an economical and efficient production
Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a material that has gained great attention for its excellent physical and chemical properties. It is a high purity cellulose, produced by bacteria such as Komagataeibacter saccharivorans, and has proven to be useful in a variety of applications, from biomedicine to the food industry and water treatment. This material is recognized for its biodegradability, high mechanical strength, and great liquid absorption capacity.
Production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) with agro-industrial waste
One of the biggest challenges in the production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is the high cost of the culture media used in its manufacture. In a recent study, it was investigated how certain agro-industrial waste, such as that of date fruits, figs, and sugar cane molasses, can be used as carbon sources for the production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). This approach is not only more economical, but also contributes to reducing agro-industrial waste.
Komagataeibacter saccharivorans MD1: An efficient bacterium
The study focused on a bacterial strain of Komagataeibacter saccharivorans (named MD1), isolated from fermented beverages. This strain was found to be highly efficient in producing bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) when grown using extracts of date fruit residues, figs and sugar cane molasses. The production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) using these residues was compared with a control medium containing pure glucose.
Results: Molasses as the most effective carbon source
The culture medium containing treated sugarcane molasses produced the most bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), reaching 3.9 g/L after 168 hours of cultivation, which surpassed the control medium that produced only 2.6 g/L. These results are significant, as they demonstrate that it is possible to replace expensive components of the culture medium with agro-industrial waste, without compromising the quality of the bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) produced. Molasses is not only a cheap carbon source, but also contains sugars such as glucose and fructose, which are essential for the synthesis of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC).
Characterization of the bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) produced.
Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) produced from these agro-industrial residues was characterized by advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the physical and structural properties of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) produced with these residues were comparable to those of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) produced with pure glucose, with some minor variations in surface roughness and crystallinity.
Properties of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and its applications
Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has a high crystallinity index, which gives it a robust structure and excellent water retention capacity. These characteristics are key when used in biomedical applications, such as wound dressings, where the ability to retain water is critical for healing. In addition, bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has a highly porous surface and a large surface area, making it an ideal material for modification and use in more advanced applications such as electroconductive materials and controlled drug release systems.
Impact of agro-industrial waste on bacterial nanocellulose (BNC)
The study also showed that agro-industrial waste, such as that from dates and figs, not only provides a cheap source of carbon, but can also positively affect the quality of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). For example, bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) produced from date waste showed a softer structure and higher water-holding capacity, which could be useful for specific applications.
Conclusions
This study highlights the feasibility of using agro-industrial waste as carbon sources for the production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), which not only reduces production costs, but also offers a sustainable solution for the management of this waste. The use of Komagataeibacter saccharivorans MD1 with this waste could open new doors in the manufacture of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) for various industries, from biomedicine to the manufacture of ecological packaging.
In summary, the production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) from agro-industrial waste not only represents an economic alternative, but also a way to take advantage of materials that would otherwise be wasted, transforming them into a valuable and sustainable product.
REFERENCES:
This information is issued from the Report. Bacterial nanocellulose from agro-industrial wastes: low-cost and enhanced production by Komagataeibacter saccharivorans MD1, Authors: Deyaa Abol-Fotouh, Mohamed A. Hassan, Hassan Shokry, Anna Roig, Mohamed S. Azab & Abd El-Hady B. Kashyout.
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