Effects of culture medium and oil enrichment on the production and approximate analysis of the microworm Panagrellus redivivus

In this study, the effects of culture medium and oil enrichment on the growth and approximate analysis of microworm, Panagrellus redivivus were investigated. Three main ingredients (oat, potato, and wheat) and their mix in equal proportion, and two types of vegetable oil (sunflower and sesame) were used as cultivation medium. Therefore, 12 treatments in 6 replications including 4 culture mediums without oil, with sunflower oil, and with sesame oil were used. Oil was used as 3.4% of the total weight of the culture medium. After 12 to 14 days, harvesting was performed. Production and approximate analysis of microworms were recorded. The results showed that the amount of microworm production was the highest in mixed, potato, oat, and wheat treatments, respectively. Also, using oil exhibited a significant effect on the microworm fat and increased the total fat of the worm. The highest amount of oil was observed in the mixed-sunflower treatment, while the lowest in the wheat treatment without oil (p<0.05). On the other hand, by elevating in oil, the protein rate decreased (p<0.05). The type of culture medium displayed a significant effect on all measured amino acids except cysteine. However, the oil added to the culture medium only revealed a significant effect on some amino acids, i.e., arginine and tryptophan (p<0.05). In general, the composition of the culture medium and the addition of oil displayed a significant effect on the production and body composition of microworm exhibited that this nematode has a high enrichment capability.