Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Carbon source and Vitamin C present in tropical fruits, on the production of Cellulose by Gluconacetobacter xylinus. Methodology and Statistical Analysis: A Variance Analysis of three factors was carried out in the applied factorial design, to determine if three types of fruit- in their different concentration- affect the production of Cellulose in a given period of time. Where the Wet Weight is the Dependent Variable. And the Independent Variables are: first, the Days of Incubation (3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days); second, the three fruits analyzed (Mango, Creole Cherry and Guava); and, third, the Concentrations of 20% and 40% of the extract of each fruit. Findings: After analyzing the results of content of Vitamin C and sugars for each fruit (Cherry, Guava and Mango)- and in relation to the results obtained- it was found that, contrasting these two parameters, the content of Gluconic Acid for Cherry decreased by 89.67%; for Guava, 69.7%; and for Mango 87.6%. The above corroborates that the higher the content of Vitamin C and Sugars, the greater is the production of the Biopolymer (Cellulose), and the amount of Gluconic Acid decreases in the culture medium at each incubation time, maintaining the pH of the medium without altering its buffering function too much. Applications: With this, it will be possible to demonstrate the possibility of synthesizing Bacterial Cellulose by Gluconacetobacter xylinus, in a culture medium containing non-conventional sources of Carbon, such as the extracts of three tropical fruits such as Mango, Guava and Creole Cherry. In addition, through this study, it will be possible to compare the values of Gluconic Acid obtained from the three extracts, showing their relationship with the amount of Vitamin C present in the extracts.

Keywords: Bacterial Cellulose, Carbon Source, Culture Medium, Tropical Fruits, Vitamin C