Analysis of Gluconacetobacter xylinus exopolysaccharides and its impacts on bacterial cellulose production and crystallization

摘要

Gluconacetobacter xylinus ATCC 53582 can produce a variety of soluble extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) in addition to insoluble cellulose. These polysaccharides consist ofmannose, glucose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid. The molecular weight distribution ofEPSs contained in culture media was characterized by SEC and four fractions were detected. Increased level ofEPSs in the cultivation medium results in an increase in bacterial cellulose production. However, XRD and FESEM analysis indicates that there is no significant change in cellulose structure or fibril morphology, suggesting that EPSs extracted from the supernatant of the medium does not play a significant role on cellulose crystallization and bundle assembly.