GROWTH OF BIFIDOBACTERIA IN A FERMENTED WHEAT GERM MEDIUM

An animal protein-free culture medium was developed for the cultivation of bifidobacteria. The medium is based on fermented wheat germ (wheat germ medium; WGM), which serves as a good source of amino acids for bacteria. The number of colonies, changes in pH and optical density were compared with commercial Wilkins-Chalgren (WCB) broth and a nonmilk-based general edible medium (GEM). All bifidobacterial strains (n=9) displayed good growth on WGM. Strains of Bifidobacterium animalis, B. longum and B. breve grew on all three media tested. On the contrary, B. bifidum did not grow on GEM. WGM seems to be suitable medium for the propagation of bifidobacteria and for the production of animal protein-free probiotic food.