Red worms (Eisenia fetida) can convert biowaste and by-products into body mass and become high in protein and lipid content. However, the type of growth media used affects both larval body composition and growth performance. Using recycled organic materials from chicken manure (CM), cow dung manure (CDM) and rabbit manure (RM), the present study evaluated the production of red worms that could be used as a substitute protein source for fish meals. Two experiments were conducted, the first experiment tested the compatibility of each organic manure when mixed with soil separately, whereas the second experiment combined the three organic manures with a fixed amount of soil. The study was conducted for 60 days. The findings showed that red worms reared on 100 % CM had a significantly higher body weight (19.27 ± 0.9 g) followed by those reared on 100 % CDM and 75% RM, whereas red worms reared on 100 % RM had the lowest body weight (4.9 ± 0.1 g). A combination of 20% CM + 40% CDM + 20% RM + 20% Soil supported significantly higher body weight of red worms (24.9 ± 1.1 g), while the lowest value of body weight (5.1 ± 0.2 g) was in a combination of 20% CM + 0% CDM + 60% RM + 20% Soil). Furthermore, the results revealed that red worms reared on 100 % CDM without soil as waste substrate had the highest crude protein (73.28% DM) compared to red worms reared on other types of substrates. The study suggests the potential of reusing organic manure such as chicken and cow dung manure at different inclusion levels in the production of red worms.
Published in | Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Volume 13, Issue 4) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12 |
Page(s) | 106-115 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Organic Manure, Red Worm, Growth, Proximate Composition, Eisenia fetida
Treatments | Percentages (%) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | |
Chicken Manure (CM) + Soil (S) | 100.0 +0.0 | 75.0 + 25.0 | 50.0 + 50.0 | 25.0 + 75.0 |
Cow Dung Manure (CDM) + Soil (S) | 100.0 + 0.0 | 75.0 + 25.0 | 50.0 + 50.0 | 25.0 + 75.0 |
Rabbit manure (RM) + Soil (S) | 100.0 + 0.0 | 75.0 + 25.0 | 50.0 + 50.0 | 25.0 + 75.0 |
Soil (S) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Substrates | Percentages (%) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T1 | T2 | T 3 | T 4 | T5 | T6 | |
Chicken Manure (CM) | 20 | 20 | 40 | 60 | 20 | - |
Cow-Dung Manure (CDM) | 20 | 40 | 20 | 20 | - | 60 |
Rabbit manure (RM) | 40 | 20 | 20 | - | 60 | 20 |
Soil | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Treatments | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TC | CDM | CM | RM | |||||||||||
% | 100 | 100 | 75 | 50 | 25 | 100 | 75 | 50 | 25 | 100 | 75 | 50 | 25 | |
TC | 100 | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** | * | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns |
CDM | 100 | ** | ns | ** | ** | ** | * | * | ** | ** | ** | ns | ** | ** |
75 | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | |
50 | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | |
25 | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ||
CM | 100 | ** | * | ** | ** | ** | ns | ** | ** | ** | ** | * | ** | ** |
75 | * | * | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | * | * | ns | ns | |
50 | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | |
25 | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | |
RM | 100 | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** | * | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns |
75 | ** | ns | ** | ** | ** | * | * | ** | ** | ** | ns | ** | ** | |
50 | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | |
25 | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns |
Treatments | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TC | T1 | T2 | T3 | T4 | T5 | T6 | |
TC | ns | ns | ** | ** | ns | ns | ** |
T1 | ns | ns | ** | ns | ns | ns | ** |
T2 | ** | ** | ns | ** | ** | ** | ** |
T3 | ** | ns | ** | ns | ** | ** | ** |
T4 | ns | ns | ** | ** | ns | ns | ** |
T5 | ns | ns | ** | ** | ns | ns | ** |
T6 | ** | ** | ** | ** | ** | ** | ns |
Parameters | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Treatment | Initial weight (g) | Final weight (g) | Weight gain (g) | Specific growth rate % |
CDM100 | 5 | 14.27b | 9.27b | 0.76a |
CDM25 | 5 | 6.14cd | 1.14cd | 0.14bc |
CDM50 | 5 | 6.61cd | 1.61cd | 0.18bc |
CDM75 | 5 | 6.7cd | 1.7cd | 0.19bc |
CM100 | 5 | 19.27a | 14.27a | 0.97a |
CM25 | 5 | 6.71cd | 1.71cd | 0.20bc |
CM50 | 5 | 6.45cd | 1.45cd | 0.16bc |
CM75 | 5 | 10.06bc | 5.06bc | 0.50ab |
RM100 | 5 | 5.2d | 0.2d | 0.04c |
RM25 | 5 | 6.49cd | 1.49cd | 0.17bc |
RM50 | 5 | 6.35cd | 1.35cd | 0.15bc |
RM75 | 5 | 13.77b | 8.77b | 0.73a |
TC | 5 | 5.83cd | 0.83cd | 0.10bc |
Parameters | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Treatment | Initial weight (g) | Final weight (g) | Weight gain (g) | RGR (%) | SGR % |
T1 | 5 | 7.77cd | 2.77cd | 55.4cd | 0.32bc |
T2 | 5 | 24.87a | 19.87a | 397.33a | 1.16a |
T3 | 5 | 10.55c | 5.55c | 111.07c | 0.53b |
T4 | 5 | 5.81d | 0.81d | 16.2d | 0.11cd |
T5 | 5 | 5.07d | 0.07d | 1.33d | 0.01d |
T6 | 5 | 18.87b | 13.87b | 277.4b | 0.96a |
TC | 5 | 5.83d | 0.83d | 16.67d | 0.1cd |
Treatments | Dry matter (%WW) | Ash (%DM) | Crude protein (%DM) | Crude lipid (%DM) | NFE (%DM) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CDM100 | 85.3±0.0b | 5.2±0.0j | 73.2±0.0a | 3.9±0.0i | 17.6±0.0e |
CDM25 | 83.4±0.0b | 16.5±0.1d | 55.3±0.0h | 4.3±0h | 23.9±0.1bc |
CDM50 | 83.6±0.5b | 14.4±0.0f | 57.3±0.1fg | 3.7±0.0j | 24.6±0.1b |
CDM75 | 88.7±0.0a | 13.5±0.0g | 64.7±0.0b | 4±0.0i | 17.8±0.0e |
CM100 | 84.7±0.6b | 13.0±0.0h | 58.1±0.0f | 5.7±0d | 23.2±0c |
CM25 | 84.9±0.1b | 26.5±0.1a | 49.9±0.0j | 6.6±0b | 16.9±0.1e |
CM50 | 84.6±0.1b | 22.0±0.0c | 53.4±0.0i | 7.6±0.0a | 17.0±0.0e |
CM75 | 84.2±0.1b | 15.8±0.0e | 57.1±0.0g | 5.8±0.0c | 21.3±0.1d |
RM100 | 82.6±0b | 10.2±0.1i | 61.0±0.0d | 5.0±0.0e | 23.8±0.0bc |
RM25 | 83.8±0.0b | 16.4±0.0d | 62.9±0.0c | 6.6±0b | 14.1±0.0f |
RM50 | 84.8±1.6b | 24.5±0.0b | 59.9±0.1e | 4.7±0.0g | 11.0±0.1g |
RM75 | 82.9±0.0b | 14.4±0.0f | 59.4±0.5e | 4.8±0.1f | 21.5±0.6d |
TC | 88.6±0.0a | 14.3±0.0f | 50.3±0j | 6.7±0.0b | 28.8±0.0a |
Treatments | Dry Matter (%WW) | Ash (%DM) | Crude protein (%DM) | Crude lipid (%DM) | NFE (%DM) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
T1 | 74.4±0.0d | 11.9±0.1c | 64.12±0.1c | 11.9±0.0b | 12.1±0.1d |
T2 | 83.9±0.0bc | 8.5±0.0e | 68.685±0.3b | 12.7±0.15a | 10.2±0.0e |
T3 | 81.8±0c | 11.5±0.3cd | 52.915±0.0e | 7.6±0.0c | 28.0±0.3a |
T4 | 83.7±0.1bc | 11.2±0.0d | 70.83±0.0a | 7.1±0d | 10.9±0.1e |
T5 | 86.5±1.5ab | 16.5±0.0a | 63.91±0c | 4.1±0.0g | 15.6±0.0c |
T6 | 84.0±0bc | 15.9±0.0a | 60.455±0.2d | 4.6±0.0f | 19.0±0.2b |
TC | 88.6±0.0a | 14.3±0.0b | 50.28±0f | 6.7±0.0e | 28.8±0.0a |
[1] | Ahmed, N., Thompson, S., & Glaser, M. (2019). Global aquaculture productivity, environmental sustainability and climate change adaptability. Environmental management, 63, 159-172. |
[2] | Addy, M., Huo, S., Liu, J., & Li, K. (2021). Bioconversion Technologies: Insect and Worm Farming. In Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering. Elsevier Inc. |
[3] | Fróna, D., Szenderák, J., & Harangi-Rákos, M. (2019). The challenge of feeding the world. Sustainability, 11(20), 5816. |
[4] | Khoshnevisan, B., Duan, N., Tsapekos, P., Awasthi, M. K., Liu, Z., Mohammadi, A., Angelidaki, I., Tsang, D. C. W., Zhang, Z., Pan, J., Ma, L., Aghbashlo, M., Tabatabaei, M., & Liu, H. (2021). A critical review on livestock manure biorefinery technologies: Sustainability, challenges, and future perspectives. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135(August 2020), 110033. |
[5] | Glasby, C. J., Gallery, A., Territory, N., & Martin, P. J. (2021). Annelids in Extreme Aquatic Environments: Diversity, February. |
[6] | Khan, S., Naz, S., Sultan, A., Alhidary, I. A., Abdelrahman, M. M., Khan, R. U., Khan, N. A., Khan, M. A., & Ahmad, S. (2016). Worm meal: A potential source of alternative protein in poultry feed. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 72(1), 93–102. |
[7] | Sánchez-Muros, M. J., Barroso, F. G., & de Haro, C. (2016). Brief Summary of Insect Usage as an Industrial Animal Feed/Feed Ingredient. In Insects as Sustainable Food Ingredients: Production, Processing and Food Applications. Elsevier Inc. |
[8] | Öztürk, E., & Köse, B. (2017). Evaluation of Worms as a Source of Protein in Poultry. Selcuk Journal of Agricultural and Food Sciences, 31(2), 107–111. |
[9] | Gunya, B., & Masika, P. J. (2021). Eisenia fetida worm as an alternative source of protein for poultry: a review. April. |
[10] | Sogbesan, O. A., & Ugwumba, A. A. A. (2006). Effect of different substrates on growth and productivity of Nigeria semi-arid zone earthworm (Hyperiodrilus euryaulos, Clausen, 1842) (Oligochaeta: Eudrilinae). World Journal of Zoology, 1(2), 103-112. |
[11] | Narita, R., & Galagar, C. (2021). Different Substrates on the Reproduction Rate of Earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae) and NPK Content of Its Castings. JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research, 43(1), 107-121. |
[12] | Mollah, F. A. (2012). Development of a Suitable Culture Medium for the Production of Tubificid Worms. Asian Fisheries Science, 25(1), 40–51. |
[13] | Gunadi, B., & Edwards, C. A. (2003). The effects of multiple applications of different organic wastes on the growth, fecundity and survival of Eisenia fetida (Savigny) (Lumbricidae). Pedobiologia, 47(4), 321–329. |
[14] | Jicong, H., Yanyun, Q., Guangqing, L., & Dong, R. (2005). The Influence of Temperature, pH and C / N Ratio on the Growth and Survival of Earthworms in Municipal Solid Waste. International Commission of Agricultural Engineering, 7(12), 1–6. |
[15] | Harma, J. R. S., & Harma, J. K. S. (2008). Effect of moisture content variation over kinetic reaction rate during vermicomposting process. 6(2), 49–61. |
[16] | Vodounnou, D. S. J. V., Kpogue, D. N. S., Tossavi, C. E., Mennsah, G. A., & Fiogbe, E. D. (2016). Effect of animal waste and vegetable compost on production and growth of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) during vermiculture. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 5(1), 87–92. |
[17] | Zakirah, M. T., Shabdin, M. L., Khairul-Adha, A. R., Fatimah-A’tirah, M., & Ahmad-Nasir, A. S. (2016). The effects of different diets on survival of marine oligochaetes worm (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae). AACL Bioflux, 9(5), 1144–1153. |
[18] | Lemma, A. (2020). Multiplication of Red Worms (Eisenia fetida) Using Different Feeding Materials and Its Effect on Yield and Quality of Vermicompost. International Journal of Ecotoxicology and Ecobiology, 5(4), 48. |
[19] | Mashur, M., Bilad, M. R., Hunaepi, H., Huda, N., & Roslan, J. (2021). Formulation of organic wastes as growth media for cultivation of earthworm nutrient-rich eisenia foetida. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(18). |
[20] | Mahboub Khomami, A., Mammadov, G. M., Fatemi Chokami, A., & Sedaghathoor, S. (2016). Growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia foetida in cow manure, cow manure+ sugarcane bagasse, and cow manure+ sawdust waste. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 14(1), 237-247. |
[21] | Nannoni, F., Rossi, S., & Protano, G. (2014). Soil properties and metal accumulation by earthworms in the Siena urban area (Italy). Applied Soil Ecology, 77, 9-17. |
[22] | Musyoka, S. N., Liti, D. M., Ogello, E., & Waidbacher, H. (2019). Utilization of the earthworm, Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) as an alternative protein source in fish feeds processing: A review. Aquaculture Research, 50(9), 2301–2315. |
[23] | Parolini, M., Ganzaroli, A., & Bacenetti, J. (2020). Science of the Total Environment Earthworm as an alternative protein source in poultry and fi sh farming: Current applications and future perspectives. Science of the Total Environment, 734, 139460. |
[24] | Abdoli, M. A., Omrani, G., Safa, M., & Samavat, S. (2019). Comparison between aerated static piles and vermicomposting in producing co-compost from rural organic wastes and cow manure. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 16(3), 1551–1562. |
[25] | Castillo-González, E., Giraldi-Díaz, M. R., De Medina-Salas, L., & Sánchez-Castillo, M. P. (2019). Pre-composting and vermicomposting of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and vegetable waste. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 9(17). |
[26] | AOAC (2005). Official Methods of Analysis. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 18th edition. AOAC International, Gaithersburg, MD, USA, pp. 69-88. |
[27] | Garg, V. K., & Kaushik, P. (2005). Vermistabilization of textile mill sludge spiked with poultry droppings by an epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida. Bioresource Technology, 96(9), 1063-1071. |
[28] | Aston, R. J. (1984). The culture of Branchiura sowerbyi (Tubificidae, Oligochaeta) using cellulose substrate. Aquaculture, 40(1), 89–94. |
[29] | Bhattacharjee, G., & Chaudhuri, P. S. (2002). Cocoon production, morphology, hatching pattern and fecundity in seven tropical earthworm species - A laboratory-based investigation. Journal of Biosciences, 27(3), 283–294. |
[30] | Monebi, C. O., & Ugwumba, A. A. A. (2013). Utilization of the earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae in the diet of Heteroclarias fingerlings. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 5(2), 19–25. |
[31] | Suthar, S. (2007). Vermicomposting potential of Perionyx sansibaricus (Perrier) in different waste materials. Bioresource technology, 98(6), 1231-1237. |
[32] | Paoletti, M. G., Buscardo, E., VanderJagt, D. J., Pastuszyn, A., Pizzoferrato, L., Huang, Y. S.,... & Glew, R. H. (2003). Nutrient content of earthworms consumed by Ye'Kuana Amerindians of the Alto Orinoco of Venezuela. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 270(1512), 249-257. |
[33] | Medina, A. L., Cova, J. A., Vielma, R. A., Pujic, P., Carlos, M. P., Torres, J. V, Cova, J. A., Vielma, R. A., Pujic, P., Carlos, M. P., & Torres, J. V. (2010). Immunological and chemical analysis of proteins from Eisenia foetida earthworm. 0105. |
[34] | Ding, S., Lin, X., & He, S. (2019). Earthworms: A Source of Protein. 9, 159–170. |
[35] | García-Solís, A. A. (2023). A Rapid Study for Proximal Composition and Sensory Evaluation of Eisenia Foetida Earthworm Meal as a Protein Source. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal, 11(1), 412-421. |
[36] | Kostecka, J., Grzegorz, P., & Mazur-p, A. (2023). Chemical Composition of Earthworm (Dendrobaena veneta Rosa) Biomass Is Suitable as an Alternative Protein Source. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. |
[37] | Kavle, R. R., Nolan, P. J., Carne, A., Agyei, D., Morton, J. D., & Bekhit, A. E. D. A. (2023). Earth worming—An evaluation of earthworm (Eisenia andrei) as an alternative food source. Foods, 12(10), 1948. |
[38] | Gunya, B., & Masika, P. J. (2022). Eisenia fetida worm as an alternative source of protein for poultry: a review. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 42(1), 1-8. |
[39] | Kozan, D. W., Derrick, J. T., Ludington, W. B., & Farber, S. A. (2023). From worms to humans: Understanding intestinal lipid metabolism via model organisms. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, 1868(4), 159290. |
APA Style
Maziku, Z., Munubi, R. N., Mwandya, A. W. (2024). Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 13(4), 106-115. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12
ACS Style
Maziku, Z.; Munubi, R. N.; Mwandya, A. W. Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance. Agric. For. Fish. 2024, 13(4), 106-115. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12
@article{10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12, author = {Zephania Maziku and Renalda Nanziga Munubi and Augustine Warioba Mwandya}, title = {Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance }, journal = {Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {106-115}, doi = {10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aff.20241304.12}, abstract = {Red worms (Eisenia fetida) can convert biowaste and by-products into body mass and become high in protein and lipid content. However, the type of growth media used affects both larval body composition and growth performance. Using recycled organic materials from chicken manure (CM), cow dung manure (CDM) and rabbit manure (RM), the present study evaluated the production of red worms that could be used as a substitute protein source for fish meals. Two experiments were conducted, the first experiment tested the compatibility of each organic manure when mixed with soil separately, whereas the second experiment combined the three organic manures with a fixed amount of soil. The study was conducted for 60 days. The findings showed that red worms reared on 100 % CM had a significantly higher body weight (19.27 ± 0.9 g) followed by those reared on 100 % CDM and 75% RM, whereas red worms reared on 100 % RM had the lowest body weight (4.9 ± 0.1 g). A combination of 20% CM + 40% CDM + 20% RM + 20% Soil supported significantly higher body weight of red worms (24.9 ± 1.1 g), while the lowest value of body weight (5.1 ± 0.2 g) was in a combination of 20% CM + 0% CDM + 60% RM + 20% Soil). Furthermore, the results revealed that red worms reared on 100 % CDM without soil as waste substrate had the highest crude protein (73.28% DM) compared to red worms reared on other types of substrates. The study suggests the potential of reusing organic manure such as chicken and cow dung manure at different inclusion levels in the production of red worms. }, year = {2024} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance AU - Zephania Maziku AU - Renalda Nanziga Munubi AU - Augustine Warioba Mwandya Y1 - 2024/07/15 PY - 2024 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12 DO - 10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12 T2 - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JF - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JO - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries SP - 106 EP - 115 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2328-5648 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12 AB - Red worms (Eisenia fetida) can convert biowaste and by-products into body mass and become high in protein and lipid content. However, the type of growth media used affects both larval body composition and growth performance. Using recycled organic materials from chicken manure (CM), cow dung manure (CDM) and rabbit manure (RM), the present study evaluated the production of red worms that could be used as a substitute protein source for fish meals. Two experiments were conducted, the first experiment tested the compatibility of each organic manure when mixed with soil separately, whereas the second experiment combined the three organic manures with a fixed amount of soil. The study was conducted for 60 days. The findings showed that red worms reared on 100 % CM had a significantly higher body weight (19.27 ± 0.9 g) followed by those reared on 100 % CDM and 75% RM, whereas red worms reared on 100 % RM had the lowest body weight (4.9 ± 0.1 g). A combination of 20% CM + 40% CDM + 20% RM + 20% Soil supported significantly higher body weight of red worms (24.9 ± 1.1 g), while the lowest value of body weight (5.1 ± 0.2 g) was in a combination of 20% CM + 0% CDM + 60% RM + 20% Soil). Furthermore, the results revealed that red worms reared on 100 % CDM without soil as waste substrate had the highest crude protein (73.28% DM) compared to red worms reared on other types of substrates. The study suggests the potential of reusing organic manure such as chicken and cow dung manure at different inclusion levels in the production of red worms. VL - 13 IS - 4 ER -