ABSTRACT
Bacterial cellulose (BC), commonly referred to as microbial cellulose, is a type of naturally occurring, biodegradable cellulose that is produced by bacteria. In contrast to plant cellulose, BC has a variety of distinct characteristics, such as high purity, mechanical strength, water retention, degree of crystallinity, and better biocompatibility. Due to its high purity and unique physicochemical properties, it has found extensive usage in a variety of industries, including the biomedical and food sectors, as well as the manufacturing of biobased polymers and nanocomposites. The most researched and effective BC producers are the Acetobacter (Komagataeibacter), Pseudomonas, Achrobacter, Alcaligene, Aerobacter, Sarcina, Azotobacter, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, and Salmonella species. These bacteria are able to assimilate a range of sugars and produce high levels of cellulose in liquid medium. Although BC has many interesting uses, only a small number of BC has been investigated. The high expense of BC manufacturing is typically seen as a limiting factor in its applications. As a result, great efforts have been made to develop new BC production strategies that would provide large yields at minimal cost. Renewable feedstock have also been considered as a significant source of BC. Agricultural wastes and industrial byproducts, such as rice husk, wheat straw, fruit peels and juice, olive oil mill effluent, molasses, and palm date fruits, which are renewable and inexpensive, have been investigated for BC production. Also, advanced fermentation techniques have now emerged in the field of pilot-scale production of BC. This chapter provides an overview of different production strategies for BC, specifically from renewable feedstock and their resulting characteristics for different applications.
