Bacterial nanocellulose production using cost-effective, environmentally friendly, acid whey based approach
Zhe Liu, Alan Labas, Benjamin M. Long, Stafford McKnight, Chenglong Xu, Jie Tian, Yong Xu
Abstract
This study investigates the production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) film using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) in acid whey medium. The yields were 59.58 g/L for wet and 2.75 g/L for freeze-dried BNC films in four days. The film contained cellulose nanofibrils with diameters ranging from 20 nm to 100 nm with a 34.3 % crystallinity index as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Incorporating glycerol as a plasticizer modified the mechanical and thermal properties of the BNC film, reduced brittleness, and enhanced strain from 0.75 % to above 16 %. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis identified intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the BNC film and glycerol. The glass transition temperature increased from roughly 158 °C to above 166 °C. The study validates the potential of acid whey as a viable alternative substrate for the production of BNC. The production method providing environmental benefits, cost-efficiency, and scalability, it also delivers an effective circular economy solution.