Synthesis of Cellulose by Acetobacter Xylinum: A Comparison Vegan Leather to Animal and Imitation Leather

Acetobacter xylinum is a Gram-negative soil bacterium that synthesize and secrete cellulose during its metabolism of glucose (Cannon R.E, 2000). Bacterial cellulose (BC) can be made into fabric through a series of fermentation, extraction, drying, and bleaching steps. The purpose of this research is to synthesize vegan leather from Acetobacter xylinum in the lab and compare it to animal and imitation leather. Materials were grown in lab for a time period of 4 weeks. The product then was sanitized, dried, and bleached for the next 12 weeks. Three ottomans were made using the three different types of leather. Discussions and comparisons of the products will address product developments such as ease of construction, price, and time. In conclusion, factors to improve the vegan leather (BC) will be further addressed.