Abstract:

Response surface methodology was used to optimize the fermentation medium based on vinasse hydrolysate for
enhanced production of bacterial cellulose (BC). Meanwhile, the properties and structures of the BC were compared with
those obtained with the basic culture medium. According to the results of single factor experiments and response surface
analysis, the optimal medium components were determined as follows: saccharose 39.33 g, peptone 20.01 g, magnesium
sulfate 0.91 g, sodium citrate 3.45 g, xanthine 1.02 g, ethanol 10 mL, vinasse hydrolysate 1 000 mL and pH 6.0, yielding
6.27 g/L of BC, which was increased by 42.5% when compared with that before optimization (4.4 g/L). The properties and
structures of BC produced with vinasse hydrolysate were confirmed to be basically the same as those of BC produced with
the basic medium through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), suggesting that vinasse hydrolysate could be used as an alternative raw material for the fermentation of
BC without any influence on the properties of BC.

Key words: vinasse, bacterial cellulose, culture medium optimization, response surface methodology, property