Abstract:

The idea of the production of high value-added materials from wastes originating from renewable plant biomass has great potential of becoming an integral part of modern biorefineries. Spartium junceum (Spanish broom) is a perennial shrub widespread in the Mediterranean area. Since ancient times it has been used as a raw material for the manufacture of ropes, nets, bags, sails and even high quality yarns, fabric and garments. Waste post-maceration liquid (PML) from Spanish broom enzymatic retting was utilized as a component of different culture media in the biosynthesis of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) by Gluconacetobacter xylinus (ATCC 700178). The results of the experiments showed that it is possible to use post-maceration liquid as a medium component for the biosynthesis of BNC. It was also possible to reduce the cost of biosynthesis by elimination or reduction of the amount of individual medium components and to obtain BNC with a comparable or higher yield than in the standard culture medium.