Biocircular economy-driven bacterial cellulose with large pore size: statistical optimization using Glutamicibacter...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Circular Economy

Background:

• Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a valuable biopolymer with diverse applications.
• High production costs and limited property tailoring hinder BC's large-scale use.
• Valorizing food waste offers a sustainable approach to biomaterial production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a novel fermentation medium using bread waste hydrolysate for high-yield BC production.
• To integrate circular bioeconomy principles by utilizing food waste.
• To tailor the structural properties of BC for specific applications.

Main Methods:

• Fermentation medium development using Glutamicibacter soli bread waste hydrolysate (BWH).
• Statistical optimization using One-Variable-At-a-Time (OVAT) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design.
• Structural and physicochemical characterization of produced BC.

Main Results:

• Optimized BWH medium achieved a BC dry weight of 39 g/L in 5.8 days.
• Significantly higher yield compared to conventional waste-based BC systems (4-15 g/L).
• Hydrolysate-based BC exhibited larger pore size, enhanced porosity (41%), and reduced crystallinity, suitable for drug delivery and wound healing.

Conclusions:

• Glutamicibacter soli BWH is a high-performance, sustainable substrate for BC production.
• This method enhances BC yield and tailors material properties, converting food waste into high-value biomaterials.
• The findings support a circular economy approach in biomaterial manufacturing.