Production of bacterial cellulose by Komagataeibacter intermedius from spent sulfite liquor
Tom Distler, Kateryna Huemer, Viktoria Leitner, Robert H. Bischof, Heiko Groiß, Georg M. Guebitz
Abstract
This study explores the use of spent sulfite liquor, a byproduct of pulp mills, as a sustainable carbon source for bacterial cellulose production. Komagataeibacter intermedius successfully grew on the sulfite-based medium after pretreatment and addition of media components. Comparisons with standard medium and a standard media with the addition of lignosulfonates using Komagataeibacter xylinus were conducted. The results revealed that for both bacteria sulfite medium outperformed the other two, with a significantly higher cellulose production of 5.68 g L−1 compared to 1.86 g L−1 and 2.17 g L−1 for Komagataeibacter intermedius. Inhibition of the gluconic acid production pathway on sulfite medium medium led to 13 % increased cellulose yield. The celluloses produced on sulfite-based medium exhibited, with 375.8 kg mol−1, higher molecular masses and similar structures to standard media celluloses with only 209.6 kg mol−1. This is highlighting the potential of pretreated spent sulfite liquor to enhance bacterial cellulose properties as a favorable carbon source.