PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE II BY ACETOBACTER XYLINUM IN THE PRESENCE OF 2,6-DICHLOROBENZONITRILE

Abstract This report provides X-ray diffraction and Raman spectral evidence that, when 2,6-dichlorobezonitrile is present in the culture medium, Acetobacter xylinum , which is a model system for investigation of the biosynthesis of native cellulose, produces cellulose II, as well as cellulose I. The significance of the observations with respect to the mechanism of biosynthesis of cellulose is discussed briefly.