Komagataeibacter xylinus

Komagataeibacter xylinus is a species of bacteria belonging to the genus Komagataeibacter, which is part of the family Acetobacteraceae. This bacterium is known for its ability to produce cellulose, a complex carbohydrate that is the primary component of plant cell walls.

Taxonomy

Komagataeibacter xylinus was previously known as Acetobacter xylinum and Gluconacetobacter xylinus. The reclassification to the current name was proposed in 2012 based on phylogenetic studies. The genus name Komagataeibacter is in honor of Japanese microbiologist Kazuo Komagata, while the species name xylinus refers to its ability to produce xylan, a type of hemicellulose.

Characteristics

Komagataeibacter xylinus is a Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium. It is acetic acid bacteria, meaning it can oxidize sugars, alcohols, and other compounds into acetic acid.

Cellulose Production

The most notable characteristic of Komagataeibacter xylinus is its ability to produce bacterial cellulose. This is a form of cellulose that is purer and has different physical properties compared to plant cellulose. Bacterial cellulose has a wide range of applications, including in the food industry, paper industry, and biomedical field.

Applications

In the food industry, Komagataeibacter xylinus is used in the production of Nata de coco, a chewy, translucent dessert made from coconut water. The bacterium ferments the sugars in the coconut water into cellulose, which forms a gel-like substance.

In the biomedical field, bacterial cellulose produced by Komagataeibacter xylinus is used in wound dressings due to its high water-holding capacity, biocompatibility, and ability to promote healing. It is also being researched for use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

See also

• Cellulose
• Acetobacteraceae
• Nata de coco

References

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  Nata de coco (Philippines)