In Vitro Studies on Shelf Life of Bacillus megaterium in Different Carrier Based Materials

The survivability of Bacillus megatherium in press mud, coco peat, vermicompost, and lignite were assessed by storing at room temperature for 240 days. The microbial population was estimated once in 30 days up to 240 days of storage. The research results has showed that press mud supported large number of Bacillus megatherium cells followed by vermicompost, lignite and cocopeat during longer periods of storage. It was observed that even after prolonged period of storage The survival ability of Bacillus megatherium in different carrier based material were periodically checked for 240 days of storage, observations were recorded at 30 days interval. The population of Bacillus megatherium was maintained best in press mud carrier over a period of 240 days (2.0x10⁷ cfu/g at 240 days) was alsohighest in press mud followed by vermicompost.