Section 4: Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology
Mass transfer in bioprocesses (kLa)
Subtopic: Fundamentals of Mass transfer in bioprocesses (kLa)
Question Statement:
Which one of the following statements is CORRECT about microbial growth media?
Options:
(A) Luria-Bertani broth is a synthetic medium
(B) Nutrient broth is a defined medium
(C) Sabouraud dextrose agar is a differential medium
(D) Trypticase soy agar is a complex medium
Official Answer Key:
D
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Official Solution & Concept Analysis (GATE BT 2021 Q.26)**
**1. Governing Concept**:
- **Topic**: Microbiology & Culture Media Classifications
- Definitions:
- **Defined (synthetic) medium**: Exact chemical composition and concentration of every ingredient is known (e.g., M9 minimal salts).
- **Complex medium**: Contains digests of plant or animal products (peptone, yeast extract, tryptic digest of casein, meat extract) where exact chemical composition is variable and undetermined.
- **Trypticase soy agar (TSA)** contains enzymatic digests of casein and soybean meal, making it an established **complex medium**.
- LB broth and Nutrient broth are also complex, not synthetic/defined.
**2. Option Analysis**:
- **Option (A) is INCORRECT**: Luria-Bertani (LB) broth contains yeast extract and tryptone (complex, not synthetic).
- **Option (B) is INCORRECT**: Nutrient broth contains beef extract and peptone (complex, not defined).
- **Option (C) is INCORRECT**: Sabouraud dextrose agar is a selective medium for fungi, not a differential medium.
- **Option (D) [Trypticase soy agar is a complex medium] is CORRECT**: Standard microbiological fact.
**3. Final Answer**:
- **Correct Choice**: **D**
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