Acetobacter xylinum

Selling Culture of Microbe Acetobacter xylinum

Acetobacter xylinum is a gram negative bacterium and is unique in its prolific synthesis of cellulose. Rows of pores characteristically secrete mini-crystals of glucan chains which then coalesce into microfibrils. Clusters of microfibrils result in a compound structure known as the ribbon. The ribbon can be observed directly using light microscopy, and the time lapse studies show Acetobacter cells generating cellulose. Acetobacter is the model system for study of the enzymes and genes involved in cellulose biosynthesis. The organism also promises to be an important future source for cellulose in the textile, paper, and lumber industries, provided its fermentation can be effectively scaled up.