Evaluation of inoculum size and fermentation period for bacterial cellulose production from sago liquid waste

Abstract

The production of bacterial cellulose (BC) from sago liquid waste was examined. In this study, the influence of different inoculum size (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) and fermentation period (5, 10, 15 and 20 days) for BC production were evaluated. The yield of BC was examined based on dry weight. The growth of bacteria in the fermentation medium was enumerated using pour plate technique. The profile of viable bacterial cell Acetobacter xylinum LKN6 on the BC pellicles was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the inoculum size and fermentation period had an effect on bacterial cellulose production from sago liquid waste. The inoculum size of 25% (v/v) produced highest yield of bacterial cellulose (13.85 g/L). The yield of BC increased with fermentation time and the optimum fermentation period was 15 days. The pattern of bacterial growth was related to BC production. The cell of A. xylinum LKN6 embedded in the bacterial cellulose pellicle and it was formed fibril cellulose secreted through bacteria cell wall. Therefore, the factors of inoculum size and incubation period affected production of bacterial cellulose from sago liquid waste.