Production of natural facial mask from bacterial cellulose

Bacterial cellulose (BC) can be used in cosmetic, medical, biomedical, electronic, food, and paper industries because of its unique properties. In the scope of this thesis, BC production was statistically optimized by Gluconacetobacter xylinus using novel medium and samples were characterised and their usage as facial mask was investigated after loading with antioxidant compound. Eight parameters (carbon source, protein, initial pH, surface area volume ratio, inoculum amount, incubation time, citric acid, temperature) were screened by Plackett-Burman Design and three parameters which were found to be significant [incubation time (%63.50), protein amount (%12.23), inoculum amount (%9.57)] were optimized using Central Composite Design. Optimal conditions for the production of BC in static culture were found as: 2.5 g/L carbon source, 2.75 g/L nitrogen source, 9.3 % inoculum ratio, 1.15 g/L citric acid, 2.7 g/L Na2HPO4, 30°C incubation temperature, 5.5 initial pH, and 9 days of incubation. Model obtained from this study was used to predict and optimize BC production yield using CHb (Carob-Haricot bean) medium after model validation experiment. This study reveals that CHb medium has high buffering capacity. Characterisation of BC facial mask samples were done by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Texture Profile Analysis (TPA). Taurine release rate and stability (4 month) was determined with Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) and effectiveness of preservative was analyzed by challenge and microbial stability tests. BC based as facial masks produced in the scope of this thesis show moisturizing feauture with high water content (>%99) and antioxidant property with 30 ±3,5 mg taurine release in 5 minutes.