Utilization of d-xylose as carbon source for production of bacterial cellulose

Abstract Utilization of d -xylose as carbon source for production of bacterial cellulose was studied. Seventeen strains of acetic acid bacteria were screened for their cellulose productivity in d -glucose, d -xylose, and d -xylose/ d -xylulose mixed media, respectively. d -Xylose was not well metabolized by any bacterial strains that exhibited high cellulose production in d -glucose medium. Consequently, bacterial cellulose production in d -xylose medium was unsuccessful. d -Xylose, however, became utilizable substrate for bacterial strains if xylose-isomerase was added to the medium. Acetobacter xylinus IFO 15606 was the best cellulose producer in d -xylose/ d -xylulose mixed medium, so cultural conditions were studied for enhanced cellulose production. With pH controlled, the strain could produce cellulose at a yield exceeding 0.3 g per 100 ml of d -xylose/ d -xylulose mixed medium, which was comparable to the yields in d -glucose medium by excellent producers in the literature.