Production of bacterial cellulose by Komagataeibacter intermedius from spent sulfite liquor

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.