Manufacturing and characterization of bacterial cellulose tubes using two different fermentation techniques

Book chapter, 2006

A modified defined media with 0.6% lactate resulted in high cellulose yield and was therefore used in the tube formation. Two fermentation techniques were compared, A and B, using a modified disc reactor. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that tubes from method A were more homogeneous with denser parts in the network. In contrast, the tubes grown according to method B have denser inner surface and a porous outer surface. Mechanical measurements could not be done on the tubes from method A due to their fragility. However the tubes from method B were measured and showed to be stiffer, stronger, and less extensible when compared with a BC pellicle. This can probably be explained by a slightly higher solid content of the tubes and presumably a more interconnected fibril network as a consequence. The BC tubes manufactured according to fermentation method B results in desired asymmetric structure and mechanical properties and are expected to be used as a scaffold for tissue engineered blood vessels.