Research Progress in Production of Bacterial Cellulose by Aeration and Agitation Culture and Its Application as a New Industrial Material

Abstract

Some Acetobacter strains produce a cellulose called bacterial cellulose in culture medium. This cellulose has unique structural and mechanical properties compared with higher plant cellulose, and is expected to be a commodity material in various fields of industry. For economical mass production, it is essential to construct an aeration and agitation culture process. To explore the industrial applications of the bacterial cellulose, the structural features and physicochemical properties need to be understood and potentially improved. This paper reviews recent progress in research on this bacterial cellulose.