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The objective of the current study was to compare the effect of cow dung and manure of laying hens, associated to one of the three carbon substrates, on weight and population of this worm. Each substrate was sown with twenty (20) adult worms, 0.7 to 1 g weight. The weight of worms was collected at the beginning and at the end of breeding. The number was collected weekly until 60 days of breeding. The average number of worms was multiplied by 2.38 (60±6.78 in cow dung, 40±6.81 in manure of laying hens and 43 ± 8.23 in control). The average weight of worms was 27.19±1.21, 24.41±1.20, and 22.41±1.44 g, respectively. These results suggest that cow dung is better than manure of laying hens for vermiculture of E. eugeniae.

The earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae is a well-known source of protein in animal feeding but there is lack of information on its fatty acid profile. This study aimed to determine its nutrient components and fatty acid profile. Earthworms were bred in substrate containing organic matter; peanut powder was added in the experimental group diet. The nutrient components (protein, ash, and minerals) of the adult worms were determined according to the Kjeldahl method and by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. The dry-matter protein content significantly increased in worms fed peanut powder (p < 0.05) as did the minerals measured. The main fatty acid families had similar proportions in the groups. In the saturated fatty acids, C12:0 and C18:0 were present in higher proportions in both groups, whereas in monounsaturated fatty acids, C18:1ω9 prevailed. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed between the two groups. An increase in the proportion of ω6 and ω3 was observed in the experimental group compared to the control. This study showed that peanut powder significantly influenced nutrient components of E. eugeniae. The fatty acid profile of this species was similar to that of most animals. Earthworms’ diet can be altered to improve the nutritional value of E. eugeniae.

Cet article est distribué suivant les termes et les conditions de la licence CC-BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ deed.fr) Introduction. Eudrilus eugeniae est un ver épigé d'origine africaine. Il est principalement rencontré dans les pays tropicaux et subtropicaux, et est utilisé dans les processus de lombriculture et de lombricompostage. Littérature. Le développement de l'utilisation et de l'exploitation du ver nécessite un approfondissement des connaissances s'y rapportant pour optimiser la production des vers et du lombricompost. Cette synthèse bibliographique a été initiée pour faciliter la valorisation agronomique de l'espèce au Gabon et améliorer les connaissances actuelles sur E. eugeniae. Elle pourrait faciliter l'élaboration d'une clé d'identification spécifique à E. eugeniae, à l'instar de celles qui existent pour d'autres espèces. Conclusions. La synthèse des connaissances disponibles sur le ver de terre E. eugeniae devrait faciliter son exploitation et sa valorisation dans les pays comme le Gabon où l'étude de ce ver de terre est récente. Mots-clés. Eudrilus, vermicompostage, morphologie, vermiculture, Gabon. Roles and morphological characteristics of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. A reviewIntroduction. Eudrilus eugeniae is an aboveground African worm mainly found in tropical and subtropical countries and is used in the process of vermiculture and vermicomposting. Literature. The development of the production of this earthworm species requires a deepening knowledge of the species. This review aimed to facilitate the agricultural recovery of the worm in Gabon and improve the current knowledge on E. eugeniae. Finally, the development of a specific identification key for E. eugeniae is recommended. Conclusions. Further investigation regarding the geographical distribution of this worm in the equatorial zone, where it was recently described, must also be considered. This review of the available knowledge on the earthworm E. eugeniae should facilitate its use and its valorization in countries such as Gabon, where knowledge of this worm is recent.