WHEY AS A GROWTH-MEDIUM FOR 2 SPP OF AZOS PIRILLUM GROWN IN BATCH CULTURE

The growth curves of Azospirillum lipoferum 4B and Azospirillum brasil ense NO40 grown on raw whey, deproteinized whey and malate media were investigated in batch culture. A maximal cell density of 14 x 10(8) an d 4.5 x 10(8) cell/nil were attained after 72 h of the growth of Azosp irillum brasilense NO40 and Azospirillum lipoferum 4B on deproteinized whey medium respectively. Raw whey as well as deproteinized whey was successfully utilized by both strains in a similar manner to that of m alate. The highest growth of A. lipoferum 4 B and A. brasilense NO40 w as detected when 20 ml/l of raw whey or deproteinized whey were used a s a carbon source in the basal medium. Prospective economic balance fo r the capital cost of malate and whey or deproteinized whey growth med ia was also discussed.