Synthesis and characterization of BC-ZnO and antibacterial activity test

Abstract

This study presents the green synthesis of bacterial cellulose-zinc oxide (BC-ZnO) composites. Bacterial cellulose (BC) was produced through the fermentation of Acetobacter xylinum, using tofu liquid waste as a bacterial medium under optimal conditions. Following purification, BC underwent characterization through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). The results confirmed the successful formation of BC, highlighting its functional groups, crystallinity, surface morphology, and elemental composition. The BC-ZnO composite was synthesized using an ex-situ chemical method, with characterization data revealing that ZnO was successfully impregnated onto the BC template, constituting 40.92% of the BC-ZnO material by mass. The antibacterial efficacy of the BC-ZnO composite was evaluated against Propionibacterium acnes using the diffusion method. The results demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect, with a zone of inhibition measuring 18.7 mm, categorizing it as strongly antibacterial.