Use of whey and buttermilk based media to obtain biomass of thermophilic LAB

Abstract

The growth of commercial strains of thermophilic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was determined in reconstituted dried whey and buttermilk. Kinetic (μ, /h and g, h) and growth (N, cfu/mL; X, cell yield and IV , percentual variation) parameters were determined using Elliker (streptococci) and MRS (lactobacilli) broths, and a commercial medium as controls. Cheese whey was the least effective substrate for growing streptococci and lactobacilli strains. However, whey and buttermilk with added yeast extract gave the best performance. These media could be efficient and easily available alternatives for producing industrial biomass of thermophilic LAB.