The growth of Micrococcus varians by utilizing sugar cane blackstrap molasses as substrate

Comparative studies on the growth of Micrococcus varians were carried out i n BHI culture medium (control) as well as in a culture medium with 2% dilut ed sugar cane blackstrap molasses, enriched with 0.1% yeast extract. The ex periment was conducted with three samples of the experimental and control m edia in a 5 liter fermenter with working volume of 3.5 liters, continuous a gitation (150 rpm), 35 +/- 0.1 degrees C temperature, 0.7 L air. 1(-1) medi um, min(-1), initial pH 7.0 +/- 0.2, 24 hour fermentation period, and appro ximate inoculum of 6.0 log(10) CFU/ml. Samples were collected at 2-hour int ervals. Micrococcus varians grew in the two culture media studied, which co nfirms the experimental medium viability for the growth of this species. Th e final average concentration of biomass was higher in the control medium t han in the experimental medium: 0.99 g.1(-1) and 0.78 g.1(-1), respectively . The final number of viable cells at the end of fermentation was 20.65 log (10) CFU/ml for the control medium (BHI), while in the experimental medium the number of viable cells was 19.43 log(10) CFU/ml. The consumption of tot al sugars was higher for the biomass in the control medium (79.78%), while only 50.53% was consumed for the experimental medium.