Characterization of Microbial Cellulose Generated in Fermented Moringa and Coated with Flaxseed Mucilage

Abstract

The fermentation of kombucha using moringa stalk infusion produced microbial cellulose discs (185 g/L) coated with flaxseed mucilage. This study carried out a physical, chemical, and antimicrobial characterization of the discs, both coated (RCD) and not coated (NCD) with flaxseed mucilage. Physical characterization indicated increased opacity, shielding, thickness, and color analysis when coated with flaxseed mucilage. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the crystallinity of the cellulose (94%). Chemical analysis evaluated the antioxidant capacity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP tests and found no differences in activity between the discs. Antimicrobial activity differed between treatments against pathogens. NCDs inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus, while RCDs inhibited Salmonella species. The results suggest that cellulose formed during the fermentation of kombucha with moringa stems can have various applications due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.