Environmentally Sustainable Production of Bacterial Nanocellulose in Waste-Based Cell Culture Media and Applications

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose has attracted great attention due to the demand for eco–friendly materials and sustainable products. It possesses properties superior to those of plant cellulose and has potential uses in various applications. The wider application of bacterial cellulose depends on the practical considerations such as the scale–up capability and production costs. The high cost of bacterial cellulose production is the main drawback that hinders industrial implementation. The cost–competitiveness can be improved, and bacterial cellulose production can be maximized by the utilization of agricultural and industrial waste and by–products as bacterial cell culture media. This chapter provides an overview of cost–effective culture media for bacterial cellulose production by using agricultural waste as a primary nutrient source. The applications related to nanocellulose, and the future challenges are also described.