The influence of lignosulfonate on bacterial cellulose (BC) structure and productivity was studied using six strains of Glitconacetobacter xylinus (=Acetobacter xylinum) (ATCC 10245, IFO 13693, 13772, 13773, 14815 and 15237). The BC productivity of all strains was improved almost 57% in the presence of (1%, w/v) lignosulfonate. FT-IR result showed that the BC produced in the presence of lignosulfortate displayed the higher crystallinity index and I.-rich cellulose. Furthermore, X-ray diffractogram confirmed the FT-IR results and showed no remarkable change in d-spacing. From CP/MAS C-13 NMR spectra, the amorphous region in the presence of lignosulfonate was relatively lower, that means the lignosulfonate enhanced the crystallinity of C-13. These results indicate that the increase in the BC yield is due to the inhibition of gluconic acid formation in the presence of the antioxidant, polyphenolic compounds in the lignosulfonate. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.