Biofabrication of a novel bacteria/bacterial cellulose composite for improved adsorption capacity

Abstract

A B S T R A C TConventional fabrication of bacterial cellulose (BC) involves treatment with hot NaOH aqueous solutions to remove bacteria (BA). Herein, we report a simpler and cheaper method for the preparation of BA/BC composite without alkalization, which keeps the BA in the nanofibrous BC network. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed naturally distributed BA in BC matrix with a tightly entangled structure. Such BA-embedded BA/BC composite exhibited improved mechanical strength and modulus over BC. When used as adsorbent, the BA/BC composite exhibited significantly higher adsorption capacities to Pb(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cr(VI) compared to bare BC. The much higher adsorption capacities of BA/BC are due to the presence of functional groups in the BA, such as amide, which are known to be involved in coordination interaction. This breakthrough strategy not only made the fabrication process simpler and more cost-effective, but also produced a new BCbased adsorbent with improved adsorption capacity to heavy metals.

Grow with the flow – observing the formation of rheotactically patterned bacterial cellulose networks

“…But even if bacteria remain after adaption in the composite similar to our experiments, they can induce interesting properties such as improved absorption capacity or higher maximum tensile/compressive strength. 100…”

Biofibrous nanomaterials for extracting strategic metal ions from water

“…Reproduced with permission. [98] Copyright 2019, Elsevier Ltd membrane could separate divalent and multivalent ions from monovalent ions, and showed a rejection difference of ∼84% with the molar Mg 2+ /Li + ratio at 60. To increase the adsorption capacity, Mathew [45] added a zwitterionic polymer of poly(cysteine methacrylate) on a porous membrane produced from cellulose nanocrystals and TEMPO-mediated oxidized cellulose nanofibrils.…”

Polysaccharides as Support for Microbial Biomass-Based Adsorbents with Applications in Removal of Heavy Metals and Dyes

“…[42], Pseudomonas stutzeri [43], and Corynebacterium glutamicum [44], but also as an individual biosorbent for fluoride [45] or other metals. Recently, Komagataeibacterxylinus X-2 was immobilized in bacterial cellulose and proved improved mechanical properties (the bacterial cells act as consolidation points which connect numerous cellulose nanofibers) compared to simple bacterial cellulose films and higher adsorption capacities for Pb(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cr(VI) due to the presence of amide groups in bacteria [46]. Pseudomonas stutzeri was immobilized in bacterial cellulose and used for nitrate removal from industrial effluent (wastewater) and contaminated groundwater and proved increased adsorption capacity, decreased cell leakage from the beads, and higher activity of immobilized cells [43].…”