Bacterial cellulose production and its use for enzyme immobilization

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an exopolysaccharide synthesized by some bacteria. It is a remarkable biopolymer with its superior properties such as high purity, high water retention capacity, mechanical strength and large surface area. This polymer can be used in many applications and there are many studies on production of BC and its applications. In this study, Gluconacetobacter xylinus NRRL B-759 (Komagataeibacter xylinus), which is a good BC producer, was used. In the study, firstly, the BC production potential of this bacterium in the mulberry pomace waste extract medium was investigated. For this purpose, the effects of incubation time, temperature and pH on BC production were tested. Then, the obtained BC was characterized. Various enzyme immobilization matrices (support materials) are used for the immobilization of enzymes. BC is an environmentally friendly polymer and the use of environmentally friendly materials as enzyme immobilization matrix is important. Therefore, to test the usability of BC as an enzyme immobilization matrix, laccase enzyme (an enzyme that can be used in many applications) produced under repeated-batch conditions with Trametes trogiiATCC 200800 was immobilized on BC and the optimum temperature and pH of the immobilized enzyme were determined. Then, the repeated use of the immobilized enzyme in the decolorization of dyes that cause environmental pollution was investigated. The results showed that mulberry pomace waste extract medium can be a good natural medium that can be used in BC production, BC produced in this medium can be used to immobilize laccase enzyme, and the immobilized enzyme can be applied repeatedly in textile dye decolorization. Keywords: Bacterial cellulose, Dye decolorization, Immobilization, Laccase, Mulberry pomace waste extract