Current and Potential Benefits of Mass Earthworm Culture

Lowe, Christopher Nathan; Butt, Kevin R.; Sherman, Rhonda L.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-391453-8.00020-0

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 84 publications

(94 reference statements)

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“…The body of these animals has high nutritional value, so they are attractive for dietary purposes. Researchers also explore the options of alternative food for livestock and for people (Lowe et al, 2014). Earthworms contain very little dry mass, The present study also focused on this species, but the culture was based on organic kitchen waste (leftovers such as pasta, bread, apple and potato peels, mixed with cellulose).…”

Section: Effective Production Of Earthworm Biomass In Vermiculturementioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Composition of Earthworm (<i>Eisenia fetida Sav</i>.) Biomass and Selected Determinants for its Production

Kostecka¹,

Garczyńska²,

Pączka³

et al. 2022

J. Ecol. Eng.

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The study was designed to determine selected components of chemical composition in the body of earthworms cultivated on organic kitchen waste. It was shown that their biomass can be classified as protein-rich, succulent fodder. Notably, this work also specified the contents of 17 essential amino acids, as well as the profile of fatty acids. It also highlighted selected threats to the natural environment caused by food production and food wastage by man. Because of that, this paper also presents the determinants of earthworm biomass production. The possibilities of consuming alternative invertebrate protein were also discussed.

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Section: Effective Production Of Earthworm Biomass In Vermiculturementioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Composition of Earthworm (<i>Eisenia fetida Sav</i>.) Biomass and Selected Determinants for its Production

Kostecka¹,

Garczyńska²,

Pączka³

et al. 2022

J. Ecol. Eng.

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“…Among organic wastes, manure from production animals is recommended under different strategies and geographical scenarios to fertilise forage crops (Herrero et al 2017). Manure is also an excellent substrate for the cultivation of earthworms to obtain humus (López Gimenez 2000;Garg et al 2005;Lowe et al 2014) and promotes the development and reproduction of them through the biotransformation of manure substrate of different domestic species (Garg et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The earthworm species Eisenia foetida belongs to the functional group of epigeons. According to the classification proposed by Bouché in 1972(in Lowe et al 2014 they are functional organisms in superficial soil horizons with organic matter content. It is the most used species in vermiculture due to its excellent use of nutrients and its high reproduction rate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioaccumulation and Elimination of Ivermectin by Eisenia foetida (Savigny 1826) Earthworms

Iglesias

Saumell

Junco

et al. 2023

AJES

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Purpose: Bovine and equine faeces are commonly used to produce vermicompost of Eisenia foetida earthworms as a soil fertility enhancer. In animal health, ivermectin (IVM) is frequently used for parasite control. However, IVM is eliminated mainly by faeces, which raises environmental concerns. Little is known about the transfer of IVM by the earthworms´ activity. In this work the accumulation of IVM in E. foetida worms cultured in vermicompost containing IVM and the ability of the worms to release IVM to a drug-free substrate were evaluated. Methodology: The acute toxicity test (72 h) of IVM and two bioassays, accumulation (A) and elimination (B), with E. foetida earthworms were performed in the current work. In A, the vermicompost produced was a mixture of equine and bovine faeces, the latter added with IVM 3,000 ng/g. Worms and substrates were sampled between 1 and 28 days post treatment (dpt). In B, worms obtained at 28 dpt in A were transferred to a substrate without IVM and sampled between 1 and 14 days later. Samples of worms and substrates were analysed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Findings: There was no worm mortality in the toxicity test. In assay A, E. foetida worms bio-accumulated up to 26.8% of the IVM present in the substrate. When worms from assay A, were moved to IVM-free substrate, they released 84% of the bio-accumulated IVM during the first day. Recommendations: This study highlights that IVM bio- accumulated by earthworms and releasing in residue-free substrates represents a contamination risk, especially in farms that are minimising the use of chemical compounds.

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“…Card et al, 2016;Trognitz et al, 2016;Yin et al, 2008). Some soil-dwelling invertebrates can be cultivated to supply horticultural products (vermicompost) or for protein production for use in animal feed or human food (Lowe, Butt and Sherman, 2014). However, there are no reports of genetic-improvement activities for soil invertebrates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opportunities and challenges applying gene editing to specialty crops

Bate¹,

Dardick

Maagd

et al. 2021

In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant

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The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO.

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Current and Potential Benefits of Mass Earthworm Culture

Cited by 5 publications

References 84 publications

Chemical Composition of Earthworm (<i>Eisenia fetida Sav</i>.) Biomass and Selected Determinants for its Production

Chemical Composition of Earthworm (<i>Eisenia fetida Sav</i>.) Biomass and Selected Determinants for its Production

Bioaccumulation and Elimination of Ivermectin by Eisenia foetida (Savigny 1826) Earthworms

Opportunities and challenges applying gene editing to specialty crops

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