Low-cost culture media designed for biomass production of beneficial lactic acid bacteria for their inclusion in a formula to treat bovine reproductive infections

Abstract As a first step for the use of probiotics in a formula for cattle, it is required to have available low-cost culture medium(s) and efficient production conditions for the growth of probiotic bacteria and high production of cell biomass. De Man–Rogosa–Sharpe medium, used frequently for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) contains adequate ingredients for their growth but is very expensive for industrial application. The nutrients required for LAB growth are strain-dependent. In this work, traditional culture media were evaluated omitting and/or modifying ingredients in their composition, as carbon or nitrogen source, on the basis of their low-cost industrial waste, to select those supporting the most efficient growth. The results showed that the formulation of culture media containing fructose (0.5%) and molasses (1.0%) was better for the growth and production of cell biomass for all the strains assayed, except Lactobacillus gasseri CRL1421 growing in 1.5% corn syrup. FM902 yeast extract at concentrations between 1.5% and 2.5% was the most adequate for most of the strains. The LAB grown in the designed media maintained the beneficial properties for which they selected. The use of the culture media designed to produce biomass decrease production costs, which is an important step for the feasible industrial production of probiotic pharmaceuticals. Elaboration of probiotic formulas requires the inclusion of live-homologous-bacteria as main component, then the optimal growth conditions in low-cost culture media, and maintenance of beneficial characteristics must be assayed.