PRE-PRODUCTION OF BACTERIAL CELLULOSE FOR FACE MASK TEMPLATE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ITS STRUCTURE

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a type of polysaccharide produced from a variety of microorganisms, among which Acetobacter xylinum is capable of producing BC with high cellulose content. In this study, A. xylinum strain was isolated from natural coconut water and investigated its growth conditions to form BC membranes to be used as skin masks. At room temperature, the growth medium containing minerals and 100% coconut water is suitable for BC synthesis after 3 days under static culture conditions. The thickness of the produced cellulose membrane was equivalent to commercial coconut masks (~0.4 mm) with good mechanical strength, high-water absorption and resorption capacity up to 95.76±0.35% (w/w). The cellulose fiber structure of the BC membrane is investigated by SEM imaging, which shows tight braided structure. The vacant space gap between in the cellulose fiber matrix explain the toughness and absorption capacity of the BC membrane, implying its potential for the application as skin mask template.