Sustainable Bioproduction of Xanthan Gum by Xanthomonas campestris Using Fructose and Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Novel Nitrogen Source

Xanthan gum is a microbial exopolysaccharide produced commercially through the fermentation of Xanthomonas campestris using carbon sources. It is widely used in industries such as food, medicine, textiles, and oil due to its properties as a stabilizer, thickener, and emulsifier. However, the high cost of xanthan production and its environmental impact, particularly when relying on traditional carbon sources like glucose, pose significant challenges. This study explores the use of agricultural waste as a cost-effective carbon source and investigates the potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as an alternative nitrogen source for xanthan production. Xanthomonas campestris ATCC 13951 was cultivated in media containing fructose (40 g/L) as the carbon source and varying concentrations of BSFL (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g/L) as the nitrogen source. The results demonstrated that the medium containing 2 g/L of BSFL yielded the highest xanthan production at 5.29 g/L, indicating the potential of BSFL as a sustainable nitrogen source for xanthan synthesis. This study highlights the feasibility of using alternative, low-cost substrates to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of xanthan production.