Isolation and characterization of Gluconacetobacter entanii from Ficus carica for bacterial cellulose production

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a high-value biopolymer with remarkable physicochemical properties and diverse applications in biotechnology and advanced materials. In this study, a BC-producing strain was isolated from Ficus carica and identified as Gluconacetobacter entanii through partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing, showing 99% identity. The strain was cultivated in Hestrin–Schramm medium under static conditions, promoting biofilm formation at the air-liquid interface. BC production increased progressively in both wet and dry weight during cultivation, reaching maximum values between days 11 and 13, with a dry weight of up to 7.7 g L⁻¹ and a maximum yield of 38.5%. The produced BC exhibited a high water retention capacity (>95%), indicative of a highly porous and hydrated nanostructure. Statistical analysis revealed that pH and temperature significantly influenced BC yield, with optimal conditions at pH 6.0 and 30 °C. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups typical of pure bacterial cellulose, with no evidence of contaminants. Overall, the results demonstrate that G. entanii isolated from F. carica is an efficient and sustainable source of bacterial cellulose with potential applications in biotechnology and functional materials.