Improved production of bacterial cellulose from waste glycerol through investigation of inhibitory effects of crude glycerol-derived compounds by Gluconacetobacter xylinus

In this study, bacterial cellulose production from pure and crude glycerol by Gluconacetobacter xylinus KCCM 41431 was achieved under static culture condition. The effect of crude glycerol-derived inhibitors was investigated (glycerol concentration, pH, and salts concentration). Significant inhibitory effects in static cultivation were observed in the following conditions: above 40 g/L of initial glycerol concentration, pH 6, or 10 g/L of salts concentration. Especially, inhibition in bacterial cellulose production by G. xylinus was strongly represented compared to the other bacteria. In addition, improvement of bacterial cellulose production was achieved with optimization of the culture medium composition. The highest bacterial cellulose productivity using pure and crude glycerol was 1.05 and 0.99 g/L/day, respectively.