Preparation and Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose Tube

Fermentation technique A (using oxygen-permeable tube as scaffold in fermentation vessel) and fermentation technique B (using oxygen-permeable tube as scaffold, also as fermentation vessel) were applied in preparation of bacterial cellulose (BC) tubes. Several types of oxygen-permeable tubes were tested in investigating their effects on biosynthesis of BC tubes by Gluconacetobacter xylinus. The results showed that tubular bacterial cellulose with uniform thickness when silicone tube was served as a scaffold. The BC production were significantly higher in technique B process than technique A. Tensile strengths of BC tubes were also measured, 0.35 MPa from technique A process, 50.25 MPa from technique B process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the BC structure of technique B tubes was more homogeneous and denser than that of technique A tubes. The BC tubes manufactured with silicone as oxygen-permeable scaffold according to fermentation technique B resulted in desired mechanical properties and were expected to be used as a scaffold for tissue engineered blood vessels and cellulose sausage casings.