Kinetics of the bacterial production of cellulosic pellicles on non-agitated liquid media

Abstract

Two phases were observed during long term (14 day) experiments carried out with the purpose of studying the kinetics of cellulose film production by Acetobacter xylinum on non-agitated liquid media. During the first phase (approximate duration, 3 days), the cellulose production rate increased from approximately 4 g.m-2 .day-1 to about 18 g.m-2 .day-1. During the second phase the cellulose production rate initially decreased to approximately 4 g.m-2 .day-1 (at the 5 th day) and then increased reaching about 53 g.m-2 .day-1 at the 14th day. Some present experimental limitations, that did not permit the proposal of a mathematical model, are discussed.