Question:

Which of the following microorganisms produce extracellular cellulose in a highly pure form that is usually NOT combined with lignin that may be explored for packaging applications?

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Komagateibacter xylinus (formerly Acetobacter xylinus) is the primary model bacterium used to produce pure, lignin-free bacterial nanocellulose for active and green packaging.
  • Wautersia eutropha
  • Komagateibacter xylinus
  • Aspergillus niger
  • Bacillus flexus
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Cellulose from plant sources is always combined with hemicellulose and lignin, requiring intensive chemical treatments to purify.
Certain bacteria synthesize and secrete extracellular cellulose (bacterial nanocellulose) that is chemically pure, free of lignin, and highly crystalline.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Among the listed microorganisms:
- Komagateibacter xylinus (formerly classified as Acetobacter xylinus) is a Gram-negative, aerobic bacterium.
It is the classic model organism used to produce bacterial cellulose.
When grown in a sugar-rich medium, it secretes ribbon-like microfibrils of pure cellulose from a row of pores on its cell surface.
This extracellular cellulose has a high water-holding capacity, high tensile strength, and is completely free of lignin, pectin, and hemicellulose.
These properties make bacterial nanocellulose highly suitable for advanced food packaging, edible films, and medical applications.
Wautersia eutropha (now Cupriavidus necator) is famous for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a bioplastic, rather than cellulose.
Aspergillus niger is a fungus, and Bacillus flexus is a endospore-forming bacterium; neither is a primary producer of pure extracellular cellulose.
Therefore, Komagateibacter xylinus is the correct organism.

Step 3: Final Answer

The correct option is (B).
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