Relationship between Suspension Properties and Fibril Structure of Disintegrated Bacterial Cellulose

A new method evaluating the fibril width and length of disintegrated bacterial cellulose was developed using optical and rheological analysis. During the early stages of the disintegration process, the bacterial cellulose particles formed loose fibrous aggregates, followed by cutting of the disintegrated fibrils that produced short fibrils. On the other hand, the fibril width decreased steadily throughout disintegration. The relationships between fibril structure and suspension properties were analyzed by a multiple regression method. The thinner and longer the disintegrated bacterial cellulose fibrils were, the higher the viscosity and water-holding capacity became.