The utilization of sugar cane molasses with/without the presence of lignosulfonate for the production of bacterial cellulose.

Production of bacterial cellulose (BC) using sugar cane molasses (MO) with/without the presence of lignosulfonate (MOL) as a sole carbon source in a Hestrin-Schramm medium (HS) was investigated. Six strains of Acetobacter xylinum [American Type Culture Collection 10245 and Institute of Fermentation in Osaka (IFO) 13693, 13772, 13773, 14815, and 15237] were screened for their BC production. The yield of the BC among all the strains from both the MO and MOL media was much higher than that from the HS medium. Acetobacter xylinum IFO 13772 was the best BC producer for all media. Furthermore, physical properties of these BC from the HS, MO, and MOL media were studied using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, and cross polarization/magic angle spinning 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. There are no significant differences in the crystallinity and the recorded Ialpha fraction among the BC produced from the different media. A remarkable difference was only recorded in terms of viscosity. These results indicate that MO is a better carbon source than glucose for most of the strains investigated.

Enhancement of growth and cellulose accumulation by overexpression of xyloglucanase in poplar.

Because the loosening of xyloglucan in the cell wall promotes plant growth (Takeda et al. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 9055-9060; Park et al. (2003) Plant J. 33, 1099-1106), we expressed Aspergillus xyloglucanase constitutively in Populus alba. The expression increased the length of stem even in the presence of sucrose. Increased stem growth was accompanied by a decrease in Young's elastic modulus in the growth zone but an increased elasticity in mature tissue. The increased internode length corresponded to an increase in cellulose content as well as specific gravity, showing that the removal of xyloglucan might cause an increase in cellulose density in the secondary xylem.

Comparative studies of genetic diversity in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) varieties based on analysis of agronomic and RAPD data.

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a fiber crop classified in the genus Hibiscus (Malvaceae), and has a great potential for its multipurpose utilization, in addition to its traditional usage. Varietal identification of kenaf is always problematic and knowledge on genetic diversity of kenaf varieties is also limited, which significantly hindered our effective utilization and conservation of the valuable kenaf germplasm. In order to find a proper method for identifying kenaf varieties and studying their variation, morpho-agronomic characters and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were analyzed among 14 kenaf varieties commonly used in Japan. Data from morphological analysis showed that the included kenaf varieties could be divided into three major groups. The characters, such as middle stem diameter, whole stalk weight, and days to 50% flowering, are highly responsible for the variation of the kenaf varieties, but it is difficult to identify individual varieties merely by the morpho-agronomic characters. On the other hand, clearly separation of the kenaf varieties was achieved based on the RAPD variation patterns. Genetic relationship of the kenaf varieties can also be traced through the analysis of RAPD and morph-agronomic variation. It is concluded from the present study that RAPD analysis is an effective tool in identifying of kenaf varieties and determining their genetic relationships, particularly when combined with the analysis of morpho-agronomic characters.