The “BIOVAM” Nutrient medium is an efficient tool for cultivating Escherichia coli in clinical veterinary practice

The modern development of veterinary microbiology is closely associated with the need to improve methods for the isolation and cultivation of pathogenic microorganisms, particularly bacteria of the genus Escherichia. To address this issue, a novel nutrient medium “BIOVAM” was developed, based on the use of a doubled concentration of carbon sources – glucose (2–4 g/L) and glycerol (6–10 g/L) – which promotes rapid bacterial growth and high biomass density. Controlled nitrogen in the medium is represented by oligopeptides (tryptone/peptone 12–16 g/L, yeast extract 8–12 g/L) and inorganic ammonium ((NH₄)₂SO₄), facilitating efficient protein synthesis. Cellular osmoregulation is supported by betaine or choline, while metabolic stabilization is achieved through magnesium sulfate, which acts as a universal cofactor for enzymes and ribosomes. A dual phosphate buffering system (K₂HPO₄ and KH₂PO₄) maintains a stable pH in the range of 6.8–7.2 throughout the cultivation process. Additionally, the medium contains hydrolyzed, lyophilized blood (0.2–0.3 %), a trace-element complex, and thiamine, which enhance cellular respiration and ensure stable biological activity. The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University using clinical isolates of E. coli obtained from dogs and cats with purulent-inflammatory conditions, as well as laboratory strains. Comparative evaluation showed that the nutrient stability of the “BIOVAM” medium reached 90.2 %, compared with 78.4 % for the control medium (Terrific Broth agar). The cultivation time for clinical isolates was reduced by 15–20 % and for the reference strain by 10–15 % compared to the control, with stable biomass achieved within 14–16 hours instead of 24 hours. Thus, the “BIOVAM” medium demonstrates enhanced nutritional value, stable microbial growth, and reduced time to obtain results, making it a promising tool for bacteriological diagnostics in veterinary medicine and for the assessment of environmental microbial contamination.