Bacterial cellulose I. Two-stage fermentation process for cellulose production by Acetobacter aceti

Abstract

Production of cellulose by Acetobacter aceti AJ12368 was optimized in a two-stage fermentation process. A cell growth stage in an air-lift fermenter (agitated culture) was followed by a cellulose formation stage in production incubators (static culture). The optimal moment of process change was at day 3 of agitated culture when the cell density and intracellular Adenosin triphosphate content peaked; at this time culture broth in the air-lift fermenter could be subdivided to feed four production incubators equipped with nine trays. Surface aeration was effective in producing food-use gelatinous cellulose which is homogeneous and low in syneresis. This process was more economical than the conventional fermentation procedure in the Nata industry.