THE FORMATION OF CELLULOSE MICROFIBRILS IN SUSPENSIONS OF ACETOBACTER XYLINUM

Abstract

Formation of cellulose microfibrils from precursors elaborated by Acetobacter xylinum takes place remote from the cell surface and without an extensive, amorphous, intermediate high polymer. The microfibrils increase in mass by growth only at one or both tips. The rate of microfibrillar growth per bacterial cell at 25 °C is constant at 0.1 μ per minute up to at least 7 minutes, incubation time. New microfibrils may be produced continuously during the incubation period.