Effect of addition of aloe vera gel on synthesis of bacterial cellulose film by Acetobacter xylinum

Abstract

In this thesis, the effects of addition of aloe vera gel on synthesis of bacterial cellulose film by Acetobacter Xylinum was studied due to the unique properties of both aloe vera gel and bacterial cellulose (BC), which might improve the physical and biological properties of the developed film. The mechanical property, equilibrium water content, porous structure, crystallinity index, and the growth of human skin cells on the biosynthesized film with the supplement of aloe vera gel at 0-50 percent-range (v/v) in the culture medium were investigated. From the study, the 30 percent addition of the BC-aloe vera gel showed the best combination for the film formation. The BC-aloe vera film was found to be more strengthen than the BC film. In addition, the interaction between BC fibrils and aloe vera gel could be illustrated from FTIR analysis. Furthermore, both of the mechanical properties and equilibrium water content of the BC-aloe vera film were found to be higher than those of the BC film. The average pore sizes of the BC-aloe vera were smaller than those of the BC film, but the surface area did not much increase from the latter. The crystallinity index of the BC-aloe vera film content at 30 percent was improved to 82.77. Additionally, the BC-aloe vera film had no toxicity and supported the growth and proliferation of human skin cells.