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Cellulose Production by Acetobacter Xylinum Using Rotary Cylindrical Bioreactor

Myra G. Borines1, Wilfredo I. Jose2, Wilfredo L. Barraquio3, Rex B. Demafelis1 and Annalyn P. Rollon4

ABSTRACT

 

A prototype of a newly designed bioreactor, which can produce bacterial cellulose on the surface of a rotating cylindrical roller, was fabricated and evaluated using Acetobacter aceti subsp. Xylinum.

After 10 days of fermentation, highest yield of 14.91g dry weight/L of medium and pellicle of 16.8 mm was produced in the bioreactor. During cellulose production, the pH (≈3) of the medium did not change considerably, the titratable acidity decreased and the sugar concentration of the medium fluctuated.

A speed of 10 rpm gave the highest yield (14.91g/l) of cellulose. The rotational speed had a significant effect on pellicle thickness but not on cellulose yield.

Results proved that bacterial cellulose may be produced in the bioreactor using the commercial formulation of coconut milk medium.

1Assistant Professors, Chemical Engineering Department, CEAT-UP Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; 2Professor, Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, UP-Diliman Quezon City, Philippines; 3Professor, Department of Microbiology, College of Science, UP-Diliman Quezon City, Philippines; 4Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, UP-Diliman Quezon City, Philippines