Formulation and Evaluation of A Microbial Growth Media from Kitchen Waste: A Cost-Effective Alternative for Commercial Media

Abstract

The study was carried out to formulate and evaluate microbial growth media using wasted rice water and onion peel. In our study, Aspergillus niger was cultivated on our media at different pH (4, 7 & 10) and observed better growth at acidic pH (4). Aspergillus brasilensis, Mucor, Coccidioides, Fusarium oxysporum were cultured at acidic pH on our medium. After 48 hours of incubation, good growth was observed in rice water onion peel media. The nutrient quality of the media was determined using Lowry method and DNS method. The protein content and reducing sugar content were 0.03 mg/ml. The protein content was less for our media compared to nutrient broth. Thus, from our study, we concluded that the prepared media can be used to cultivate fungi in labs. The nutrient quality of the media can be increased by adding different nutrients (Yeast extract, Peptone. Dextrose etc.), which may aid in supporting the growth of bacteria and yeasts in the medium.