FORMULATION OF LOCAL MEDIA FOR MASS PRODUCTION OF BACTERIAL ENDOSPORE BACILLUS SUBTILIS

This study aimed to formulate cost-effective, locally available media for the mass production of Bacillus subtilis endospores, a bacterium widely used in agriculture and industry due to its spore-forming ability and biocontrol properties. Soil samples were collected from agricultural fields, and B. subtilis was isolated using heat treatment and nutrient broth enrichment. The bacterium was identified through cultural, morphological, and biochemical tests, including Gram staining, spore staining, citrate utilization, catalase activity, indole production, and methyl red tests. The results confirmed the presence of B. subtilis, characterized by its rod-shaped, Gram-positive morphology, and positive reactions for catalase and citrate tests. To optimize growth and spore production, improvised media were prepared using locally available substrates such as millet, beans, groundnut, sorghum, and sesame in varying carbohydrate-to-protein ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1). The growth of B. subtilis was evaluated based on the percentage coverage of bacterial colonies on petri dishes. The highest growth (90%) was observed in a 1:1 sorghum-sesame medium, while the lowest growth (25%) occurred in a 3:1 sorghum-groundnut medium. Spore formation was confirmed in all media, indicating their suitability for large-scale spore production. The findings demonstrate that locally sourced, low-cost media can effectively support the growth and sporulation of B. subtilis, offering a sustainable alternative to commercial media. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing media formulations for industrial and agricultural applications, reducing production costs, and enhancing the accessibility of B. subtilis-based products. Further research is recommended to explore additional substrate combinations and scaling-up strategies for commercial production.