Characterization of Bionanocellulose Producing Bacteria Isolated from Tapioca Wastewater

This study was conducted to explore the potential of isolating bionanocellulose (BNC) producing bacteria from tapioca wastewater. A total of ten bacteria were successfully isolated and only one isolate named BPNC 3 produced white gelatinous materials in Hestrin and Schramm (HS) medium believed to be the BNC. According to 16S rRNA analysis, bacterium BPNC 3 was identified as Asaia sp. The BNC produced by Asaia sp. BPNC3 was characterized via Fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The FTIR spectrum showed the presence of two signature peaks at 3276.69 cm-1 and 2923.99 cm-1 indicative of nanocellulosic material. The FESEM micrograph showed characteristics of network fibrils typically present in nanocellulose structure.