Rathi C R,
Abel George,
Sajeshkumar N K,
- Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Mar Augusthinose College Ramapuram, Kottayam, Kerala, India
- Student, Department of Biotechnology, Mar Augusthinose College Ramapuram, Kottayam, Kerala, India
- Head of Department, Department of Biotechnology, Mar Augusthinose College Ramapuram, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Abstract
Microbiological research extensively uses culture media for the cultivation and study of microorganisms. However, the traditional nutrient agar, which contains animal-derived components, presents ethical and accessibility challenges. This study aims to tackle these issues by creating a plant-based bacteriological culture medium as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. The primary objective is to satisfy the growing demand for ethical and accessible culture media by utilizing the nutritional richness of common plant sources such as chickpeas, peanuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds, which are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. By carefully formulating and experimenting, the goal is to replicate the nutrient composition of conventional agar without relying on animal-derived ingredients. The development of plant-based culture media not only adheres to principles of sustainability and ethical research practices but also provides a practical solution to the economic challenges faced by laboratories globally. By investigating the potential of plant-derived nutrients and agar substitutes, this project aims to advance sustainable and cruelty-free scientific practices in microbiology, promoting a more ethical and accessible future in microbial research.
Keywords: Animal-derived ingredients, Microbiology, Nutrient agar, Plant-based culture, bacteriological culture medium.
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Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmacognosy
| Volume | |
| Received | August 1, 2024 |
| Accepted | August 30, 2024 |
| Published | September 7, 2024 |