Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose Produced using Media Containing Waste Apple Juice

The present study involves bacterial cellulose (BC) production using freshly prepared apple juice medium (AJM) and the bacterial strain Gluconobacter xylinum CCM 3611T. The AJM was modified with ammonium sulfate, dipotassium phosphate, sucrose, acetic acid, with and without ethanol. BC sheets (in the dry state) were analyzed on the basis of morphological, rheological and structural properties, thermal stability, water holding capacity (WHC) and water absorption capacity (WAC). Comparative X-ray diffractograms of BC using cobalt radiation is observed for the first time. The WAC analysis revealed that lyophilized BC samples had the higher WAC than the oven air-dried samples. There is an evidential structural difference observed in BC prepared from different AJM. Moreover, the AJM modified with only ethanol, exhibited quite a significant yield of BC. BC produced from the medium without ethanol had the highest thermal stability, viscoelasticity, and WHC.