This document discusses the development of inoculum, which is a mixture of cultured microbes and growth media. It defines inoculum and explains that it is prepared in a stepwise process using increasing volumes of media to produce enough microbes for industrial fermentation. The document outlines the key components of inoculum media, including a carbon source, nitrogen source, growth factors, minerals, buffers to control pH, and defoamers. It provides an example of Bennett's medium used to produce inoculum for vitamin production.