Physical, structural, mechanical and thermal characterization of bacterial cellulose by G. hansenii NCIM 2529

• Bacterial cellulose produced by Gluconoacetobacter hansenii was produced under agitating condition was tested for its structural, physical, mechanical and thermal properties along with determination of water absorbance and holding capacity, particle size, porosity and purity analysis.
• The results elucidated the significant properties of bacterial cellulose under shaking condition.
• The acquaintance of its novel properties will provide more opportunities in its widespread utilization.

The present study aims to investigate the physico mechanical, structural and thermal properties of the bacterial cellulose (BC) produced under shaking condition. Formation of characteristic cellulose sphere has been characterized by light and scanning electron microscopy. The purity of bacterial cellulose was confirmed by thin layer chromatography of hydrolyzed product and elemental analysis by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. High crystallinity bacterial cellulose (81%) composed by high Iα confirmed by X-ray diffraction and solid state C13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Z-average particle size was 1.44 μm with high porosity of 181.81%. The water holding and absorption capacity was determined. Tensile strength reveals a Young's modulus of 15.71 ± 0.15 MPa and tensile strength of up to 14.94 MPa. The thermal behavior evaluated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry shows the thermal stability of bacterial cellulose. The results demonstrated unique characteristics of bacterial cellulose produced at shaking condition.