Integrated production of bacterial cellulose and biogas from agro-industrial wastewater: technical feasibility of implementing a biorefinery concept

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an organic substance produced by bacteria that has shown immense potential as an efficient biopolymer. BC has high potential for diverse applications, but low productivity and high production costs prevent widespread use. Several studies have been conducted recently to develop low-cost fermentation media, encouraging the use of residues and industrial by-products as substrates. Agro-industrial wastewaters can be used as substrates for BC production, including glycerol, vinasse, and whey. Therefore, this study initially aimed to produce BC from these wastewaters. BC was produced by Gluconacetobacter hansenii grown statically at room temperature. The BC media were the same as the Hestrin and Schramm medium, with only the original carbon source (glucose) replaced with agro-industrial residues: glycerol, vinasse, or 50