Evaluation of Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum) as a cost-effective nitrogen substitute for the optimized growth of probiotic Lactobacillus spp.

Authors

  • Kaviyanjali. M P.G. & Research Department of Zoology, Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women (Autonomous), Chennai, India Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2488-906X
  • Dr. Premalatha A. Department of Zoology, Meenakshi College for Women Autonomous, Chennai, India Author
  • Dr.S. Kaneez Fathima P.G. & Research Department of Zoology, Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women (Autonomous), Chennai, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0959-3343

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54646/SAPARS.2026.28

Keywords:

Lactobacillus, probiotics, Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum), alternative media, fermentation, sustainable media

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Probiotic Lactobacillus species are nutritionally fastidious microorganisms that require protein-rich nitrogen sources for optimal growth, making conventional culture media such as Luria-Bertani (LB) and Nutrient Agar economically inappropriate for large-scale and industrial applications. The present study analyzes the potential of Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum) powder as a low-cost, plant-based nitrogen source for cultivating Lactobacillus spp., In order to determine the protein concentration per gram of substrate, Bengal gram powder was quantitatively estimated using Lowry’s method. Based on this estimation, Bengal gram powder was added into the culture medium in the place of peptone and tryptone in the culture medium formulation, thereby serving as the primary nitrogen source. The basal medium was consists of beef extract, sodium chloride, agar and distilled water, while standard Luria medium and Nutrient Agar served as control media. The growth performance of selected probiotic Lactobacillus strains was analyzed by biomass yield and observing growth during incubation. The findings highlights that the Bengal gram–based medium effectively promoted the bacterial growth, yielding growth curves and biomass production compared to those of traditional control media. Lactobacillus species nutritional requirements were sufficiently satisfied by Bengal gram’s natural micronutrient profile and high protein content. This study reveals that Bengal gram powder can effectively replace peptone as a nitrogen source, cost-effective, sustainable, and scalable alternative culture medium for the fermentation and industrial productions.

Author Biographies

  • Kaviyanjali. M, P.G. & Research Department of Zoology, Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women (Autonomous), Chennai, India

    Kaviyanjali M. is a Ph.D. Research Scholar in the P.G & Research Department of Zoology at Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women (Autonomous), Chennai. She graduated with first class and distinction in B.Sc. Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology from Meenakshi College for Women (Autonomous) and in M.Sc. Zoology from Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women (Autonomous). Her doctoral research focuses on the aquaculture sustainability. Kaviyanjali has presented her poster at national symposiums. She won first prize in a model-making competition on “Ending Plastic Pollution” during World Environment Day at the University of Madras. She was a top 6 finalist and received an appreciation prize in the national hackathon on Human-Wildlife Coexistence, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.She has participated in many Conference, Workshop and seminars. Her academic interests include zoology, microbiology, gut microbiome studies, and wildlife conservation, and she is committed to making scientific knowledge more accessible and integrating research with technology for social and environmental impact.

  • Dr. Premalatha A., Department of Zoology, Meenakshi College for Women Autonomous, Chennai, India

    Dr. Premalatha A. is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Advanced Zoology & Biotechnology with 25 years of teaching and research experience in higher education. She holds M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees and specializes in Microbiology and Zoology. Her research interests include microbial biodegradation, antimicrobial protein production, enzyme optimization, and biotechnological approaches for waste management and environmental sustainability. She has published five research papers in reputed national and international journals, with notable work on pentachlorophenol degradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, antimicrobial protein production by Bacillus amyloliquifaciens, and enzymatic hydrolysis of industrial and agricultural waste for value-added applications. Dr. Premalatha A. has actively participated in orientation and refresher courses in Bioinformatics and Nanosciences conducted by the University of Madras and TANUVAS, and has attended several national and international conferences, including the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS) Congress held in Spain. She qualified the Joint CSIR–UGC Test in 1991 and was awarded the Teacher Fellowship under the FDP–XI Plan period, recognizing her academic excellence, research contributions, and commitment to higher education.

  • Dr.S. Kaneez Fathima, P.G. & Research Department of Zoology, Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women (Autonomous), Chennai, India

    Dr. S. Kaneez Fathima is the Dean of Sciences, Associate Professor and Head ( in - charge) , P.G & Research Department of Zoology, Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women ( Autonomous) Chennai. She holds a Ph.D in Zoology and her area of Research specialization is Environmental Toxicology. She has over 26 years of teaching experience and has guided M.Phil and M.Sc students and is currently guiding Ph.D scholars. She has published papers in web of Science journals, presented in National and International conferences  and has also authored books. She also holds a patent for developing an eco-friendly fungal staining alternative using natural extracts. She has conducted and attended many Seminars, Conferences and Workshops.

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Published

2026-04-08

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): Scientiarum: A multidisciplinary journal

Section

Research