Abstract: To improve bacterial cellulose (BC) production and to develop specific cellulose functional food products, BC was prepared from the fermentation of apple juice or pear juice by Gluconoacetobacter hanseni CGMCC 3917. The influence of fruit juice dilution and amount of added yeast extract on BC yield was evaluated. Meanwhile, further studies were done to investigate the influence of fruit juice type on BC production, structure and properties. The results showed that pear juice provided more production of BC than apple juice, reaching 46.343 g/100 mL. Moreover, dried BC membranes from pear juice showed a significantly higher rehydration rate, and a slightly higher total sugar content than those from apple juice. There were no pronounced differences in water content of wet BC membranes and cellulose, protein and fat contents and microstructure of dry BC membranes between both fruit juices.

Key words: apple juice, pear juice, Gluconoacetobacter hansenii, bacterial cellulose