IMPROVED CELLULOSE FORMATION BY AN ACETOBACTER-XYLINUM MUTANT LIMITEDIN (KETO)GLUCONATE SYNTHESIS

A mutation and enrichment strategy is described that allows the isolat ion of Acetobacter xylinum mutant strains which are restricted in (ket o)gluconate synthesis and produce cellulose more efficiently, even und er oxidative conditions. Acetobacter xylinum mutant strains obtained i n this way may be very useful in the study of cellulose (over)synthesi s and (keto)gluconate metabolism in Acetobacter xylinum, as well as in the improvement of bacterial cellulose fermentation processes.