Synthesis of bacterial cellulose nitrates

Abstract

The conceptual possibility to synthesize bacterial cellulose nitrates with the use of commercial mixed acid was demonstrated. The initial bacterial cellulose was produced by the Medusomyces gisevii Sa-12 symbiotic culture in a synthetic nutrient broth in a Binder constant climate chamber. The resulting bacterial cellulose nitrate sample had 11.45% nitrogen content, 1900 cP viscosity, 15.8% solubility in ethanol—diethyl ether mixture, and 0.10% ash content. An extremely high sample viscosity (organogelation) in a ∼2% solution in acetone was observed.