Designing and Evaluation of Skin Extract Agar for Isolation of Microflora from Raw Buffalo Hide

Ashish Polkade,Pradhnya Kanekar,Prashant Dhakephalkar,Seema Sarnaik,Prafulla Shede

doi:10.5195/iioablett.2013.20

Abstract

Abstract Present study was aimed to design nutrient medium most suitable for isolation and enumeration of microbial flora associated with raw buffalo hide. Skin extract agar (SEA) was designed and standardized on the basis of its chemical analysis. SEA and nutrient medium supplemented with skin extract was inoculated with buffalo hide wash. Total viable count as well as diversity of microbial colonies were enumerated on SEA as well as on nutrient agar and standard plate count agar both supplemented with skin extract (1% v/v). Bacterial strains forming diverse types of colonies on the media tested were identified on the basis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences. The SEA was found to yield higher number of bacteria and to support growth of Acinetobacter, Exiguobacterium and Stenotrophomonas which otherwise difficult to selectively isolate from buffalo hide using nutrient agar and standard plate count agar. Diversity of microbial colonies formed on SEA was significantly higher than that observed on nutrient agar or standard plate count agar. Feasibility of utilizing SEA as a microbiological medium for isolation and identification of microflora from raw buffalo hide was successfully demonstrated. Use of skin extract medium can maximize recovery of taxonomically distinct bacteria from raw buffalo hide. This basic study, with proper manipulations could lead to development of product for enumeration and isolation of bacteria from buffalo hides especially cattle pathogens related to skin diseases.

Highlights

Selection of nutrient media plays a key role in accessing this microbial diversity through culture based approach
Skin extract with 25% skin released highest possible protein from skin compared to lower concentrations
Cattle blood hydrolysate shows presence of 14% total protein which was used for isolation of infectious bacteria (Zhurbenko et al, 1993), whereas values obtained in case of skin extract at 25% w/v concentration shows 16 % of protein

Summary

Introduction

Selection of nutrient media plays a key role in accessing this microbial diversity through culture based approach. The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate whether skin extract as a growth medium or its supplementation to standard nutrient medium could enhance isolation and enumeration of microorganisms from raw hide. Protein content of skin extract medium along with other conventional media was determined by burette method (Clark, 1964).

Results

Conclusion