This research studies the production of bacterial cellulose from Acetobacter xylinum TISTR 975 with pineapple peel juice a low cost carbon source and coconut water as nutrient and carbon source. The factors influencing the production were studied including incubation time type of carbon sources and ratio of mixed carbon sources. In addition the characteristics of the produced bacterial cellulose were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) Differential Scanning Colorimeter (DSC) and x-ray Diffractometer (xRD). It was found that the coconut water produced the amount of bacterial cellulose higher than the pineapple peel juice with 10 days of production. An addition of the coconut water into the pineapple peel juice increased the amount of bacterial cellulose. The characteristics of two bacterial celluloses from two different sources were nearly similar but the one from the pineapple peel juice had higher impurities. It can be concluded that the pineapple shell extract could be used as low cost carbon source for bacterial cellulose production.

Nata de coco rich in high dietary cellulose microfiber of low calories and thus suitable to be promoted as healthy drink is derived from bacterial fermentation of coconut water (an agricultural by-product). In this study the optimal amount of nata de coco to be added to mao juice was investigated. Nata de coco was produced by using Acetobacter xylinum TISTR 86 cultured at 30oC for 15 days in a plastic box containing culture medium which was composed of 92.5% coconut juice 0.5% ammonium sulfate 5.0% sucrose and 2.0% vinegar. Hedonic scale (1-9 point) sensory evaluation was used to select the optimal ratio of nata de coco from the 3 ratios of 5 10 and 15% to be added to mao juice. Based on taste and overall liking the most favorable mixture is to add nata de coco of 10% to mao juice. Finally the chemical physical and microorganism properties of mao juice with nata de coco in a 180 ml clear-glass bottle were measured after it was stored at room temperature for 1 month. This mixture product was found to beneficially contain fiber two times the amount of that of sole mao juice. The result suggests that these variable parameters of mixture product were accepted base on the Thai Community Product Standard (486/2547).