Vitamin C enhances bacterial cellulose production in Gluconacetobacter xylinus

Influence of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on bacterial cellulose (BC) production and crystal structure was studied using four strains of Gluconacetobacter xylinus (ATCC 10245, IFO 13693, 13772 and 13773). BC productivity of all strains was increased in presence of vitamin C (0.5% w/w), the average BC production reached 0.47 g/30 ml compared with 0.25 g/30 ml without vitamin C. Enhanced productivity is associated with a decrease in gluconic acid concentration that is produced from Gluconacetobacter xylinus during BC production. X-ray results showed that the crystallinity index of BC produced in presence of ascorbic acid was the lowest with remarkable change in d-spacing. These results were confirmed by using solid state 13CNMR. The increase in BC yield in presence of vitamin C is due to its antioxidant behavior and confirms our past work on lignosulfonate influence on BC.