Comparison of cellulose production of two different Gluconacetobacter xylinus strains using both glucose and galactose as carbon sources

We study the cellulose and biomass yields of two distinct Gluconacetobacter xylinus strains (ATCC 53524 and ATCC 700718) when both galactose and glucose is used as a carbon source. Results indicate that strain ATCC 700718 can effectively use galactose as a carbon source to produce cellulose, but little cellulose is produced when galactose serves as an exclusive carbon source in the strain ATCC 53524. The produced BC is analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Possible reasons for the inability of strain ATCC 53524 to utilize galactose are discussed.