• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.522-526
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• 2010

Bacterial cellulose is produced by the bacterium Gluconacetobacter xylinus, which forms a nanofibrous pellicle in its culture medium. We studied properties of the bacterial cellulose such as crystallinity, viscosity, morphology, and mechanical properties according to the carbon source. Static cultures of Gluconacetobacter sp. V6 were performed in three kinds of media: standard Hestrin-Schramm medium, and modified medium with either glycerol or molasses as carbon sources. Cell growth and cellulose yield were increased in the glycerol and molasses media. The culture in the glycerol medium improved the physical properties of cellulose such as crystallinity, intrinsic viscosity, and breaking stress. However, the culture in the molasses medium decreased crystallinity, crystallite size, and intrinsic viscosity of cellulose. In summary, the cellulose yield was remarkably improved in the molasses medium, but with inferior structural properties.