Evaluation of Chicken Head and Foot Extract as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Commercial Microbiological Media for Clinical Isolates

Background: This study investigated the potential of chicken head and foot extract (CHFE) as a low-cost alternative to commercial microbiological media for cultivating clinically important bacteria. Methods: The growth characteristics, colony morphology, and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of selected pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella dysenteriae, were assessed on CHFE agar and broth. The growth of S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa on CHFE media was comparable to that on Nutrient agar and broth, with characteristic pigment production and colony morphology. However, the growth of A. baumannii and S. dysenteriae was relatively low on CHFE medium. Supplementation of CHFE broth with 1% glucose or peptone resulted in enhanced growth, surpassing that in Nutrient broth by 20-30%. Results: Principal-component analysis demonstrated strong relationships between optical density (OD₆₀₀) and colony-forming units (CFU/mL) in both media. Statistical analysis revealed that peptone supplementation had the most pronounced effect on growth improvement. The study highlights the potential of CHFE as a cost-effective medium for clinical diagnostics in resource-limited settings, although further optimization is required to support the growth of fastidious organisms. Conclusion: The utilization of poultry waste in microbiological media can add value to this waste while reducing the reliance on expensive commercial media in low-income countries.