Statistical optimization and characterization of bacterial cellulose produced by isolated thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis strain ZBT2.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an excellent natural biopolymer with wide range of applications. The present study reports a potential BC producing thermophile, identified as Bacillus licheniformis strain ZBT2. The thermophile produced pellicle form of BC (3.0 g/l) under static conditions. Statistical optimization of BC was carried out by Plackett-Burman and central composite design. Results suggest that BC yield (9.2 g/l) was enhanced with 6.6-fold after optimization. BC-gelatin hydrogels composites were developed to assess various properties. The water retention capability and moisture content properties of BC and composites were promising and also exhibited negligible protein adsorption. The composites also demonstrated to be consistent during controlled drug delivery profiling. Furthermore, the composites also demonstrated antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli and Micrococcus luteus. The structural, morphological and thermal properties were assessed by analytical techniques such as, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The study reflects the exploitation of a thermophile for development of BC which can be a preferred choice as a scaffold for tissue engineering and drug-delivery systems.