Bacterial cellulose synthesis by Komagataeibacter hansenii cultivated in glycerol and coffee husk: application for dye removal in gram staining

Usable water sources are at risk due to improper disposal and chemical contaminants. A potentially effective solution is using a biofilter based on bacterial cellulose (BC) to treat wastewater. This research aimed to produce BC using Komagataeibacter hansenii (ATCC 23769) from by-products to develop an efficient biofilter for removing microscopy dyes. To achieve this, K. hansenii was cultivated in three culture media using industrial co-products: control: mannitol (CT), crude glycerol + corn steep liquor (CGC), and coffee husk + corn steep liquor (CHC). Chromatography analysis assessed compound production during fermentation and BC production. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy were conducted to analyze the chemical and physical properties of the BC. The findings revealed that the substrate significantly affects BC production by K. hansenii. BC produced with crude glycerol (CGC) shows superior tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and nanofibril compaction, making it ideal for biofilters. Additionally, BC from CGC demonstrates higher efficiency in reducing biological and chemical oxygen demand in water treatment. The versatility of BC allows for its application in biofilters, medical dressings, cosmetics, and food packaging. Choosing a suitable substrate and purification process, mainly using CGC, is crucial for optimizing BC’s yield and functional properties.