Production of bacterial cellulose from banana waste (Musa paradisiaca): A sustainable material for making cardboard paper

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer with advantages over plant cellulose, but its high cost has led to the search for alternative substrates. In Colombia, banana processing generates organic waste that can be utilized for BC production. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of using banana pulp waste (Musa paradisiaca) as an alternative carbon source in culture media for BC production by the bacteria K. xylinus and analyze its physicochemical properties and applicability in cardboard manufacturing. It was found that the 1:2 ratio of banana pulp to water yielded the highest BC production, suggesting greater nutrient availability in this ratio. A pH of 4.4 proved optimal for BC production, providing an appropriate acidic environment for bacterial growth. After optimizing the culture medium, BC yield increased significantly, with the production reaching up to 30 g/L, demonstrating the effectiveness of optimizing the substrate ratio and pH in enhancing cellulose synthesis. Physicochemical tests confirmed the purity of the obtained BC, with structural characteristics consistent with expected cellulose. Furthermore, cardboard made with this BC exhibited superior mechanical properties, with greater tensile and compression strength compared to the control cardboard, indicating enhanced durability and strength for industrial use. In conclusion, the use of banana waste as a carbon source for BC production offers a promising solution with significant economic and environmental benefits. The optimization of cultivation conditions, such as ratio and pH, and the confirmation of final product purity and quality, underscore the potential of this approach for sustainable industrial applications in biomaterial production.