Statistical optimization of bacterial cellulose production by Leifsonia soli and its physico-chemical characterization

Bacterial cellulose has multiple applications in various industries such as food, biomedical, textile due to its uniqueness of being a better bio-compatible coating agent, binding material, etc. In this study, optimization of the culture medium for producing BC from Leifsonia soli was carried out by selecting different parameters. Five significant factors such as maltose, pH, incubation days, soy whey and calcium chloride were estimated through ANOVA based response surface methodology. Maximum cellulose production (5.97 g/L) was obtained where maltose 1 % (w/v) supplemented with 0.8 % (v/v) soy whey and calcium chloride 0.8 % (w/v) at pH 6.5 for 7 days of incubation. In addition, assurance of cellulose production from bacteria was done by using High-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Further, the structure and purity of obtained cellulose were examined by SEM and elemental analysis where it was observed that the sample holds the value of carbon 44.1 ± 0.20 % and hydrogen 6.2 ± 0.3 %, respectively. This study concludes that the addition of maltose and soy whey could be used as carbon, nitrogen sources and calcium chloride was used as an additive for the bacterial cellulose production compared to the Hestrin Schramm medium. In addition, the calculated water holding capacity of the sample was found to be 73 %.