Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Earthworms as a source of food and drugs

  • Chapter
Earthworm Ecology

Abstract

In recent years considerable attention has been focused upon the potential role of intensive earthworm culture, or vermiculture, in the amelioration of severe problems associated with the disposal of large quantities of organic wastes (Hartenstein, 1978; Appelhof, 1981). It is now accepted that the economic value of vermiculture lies in (i) diminution of noxious qualities associated with organic wastes, e.g. elimination of smell; (ii) generation of a useful compost; and (iii) production of earthworm biomass. This review covers the value of the worms produced as a source of food, primarily proteins, and of drugs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alumets, J., Hakanson, R., Sundler, F. and Thorell, J. (1979) Neuronal localisation of immunoreactive enkephalin and fJ-endorphin in the earthworm. Nature (London), 279, 805–806.

    Google Scholar 

  • Appelhof, M. (compiler) (1981) Workshop on the Role of Earthworms in the Stabilization of Organic Residues, Vol. I, Proc. Beech Leaf Press, Kalamazoo, MI. 315 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Augustine, P. C. and Lund, E. E. (1974) The fate of eggs and larvae of Ascaridia galli in earthworms. Avian Dis., 18, 394–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, S., Tunyan, P. J., Jennings, D. M., Norris, J. D., Stanley, P. I. and Williams, J. H. (1974) Hazards to wildlife from the use of DDT in orchards: II. A further study. Agro-Ecosystems, I, 323–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyer, W. N. (1981) Metals and terrestrial earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta). In Workshop on the Role of Earthworms in the Stabilization of Organic Residues (M. Appelhof, compiler), Vol. I, Proc. Beech Leaf Press, Kalamazoo, MI, pp. 137–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. A. and Mitchell, M. J. (1981) Role of the earthworm, Eiseniafoetida, in affecting survival of Salmonella enteritidis ser. typhimurium. Pedobiologia, 21, 434–438.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarenburge, R., Kim Chung, I. A. and Wakefield, L. M. (1971) Reducing the egg cholesterol level by including emulsified sitosterol in standard chicken diet. J. Nutr., 101, 289–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooke, B. K. (1979) DDT residues in soil and earthworms. Report. Long Ashton Res. Stn., University of Bristol, p. 113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fosgate, O. T. and Babb, M. R. (1972) Biodegradation of animal wastes by Lumbricus terrestris. J. Dairy Sci., 55, 870–872.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, C. R. and Cashin, C. H. (1975) Some aspects of monoamine function in the earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris). Neuropharmacology, 14, 493–500.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gish, C. D. and Christensen, R. E. (1973) Cadmium, nickel, lead and zinc in earthworms from roadside soil. Environ. Sci. Technol., 7, 1060–1062.

    Google Scholar 

  • Godfrey, J. c., Luttinger, J. R., Taylor, H. D. and Sanheuza, G. M. (1976) Dietary plant sterol-induced reduction of egg yolk cholesterol in the chicken. Nutr. Rep. Int., 13, 263–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graff, O. (1974) Gewinnung von Biomasse aus Abfallstoffen durch Kultur des Kompostregenwurms Eisenia foetida (Savigny 1826). LandbForsch.VOikenrode, 24, 137–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graff, O. (1981) Preliminary experiments of vermicomposting of different waste material using Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg. In Workshop on the Role of Earthworms in the Stabilization of Organic Residues eM. Appelhof, compiler), Vol. I, Proc. Beech Leaf Press, Kalamazoo, MI, pp. 179–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, R. P. and Czochanska, Z. (1974) Occurrence of triglycerides in earthworms. Lipids, 9, 363–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartenstein, R (ed.) (1978) Proc. Utilization of Soil Organisms in Sludge Management, Syracuse, NY. 171 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartenstein, R. (1981) Use of Eisenia foetida in organic recycling based on laboratory experiments. In Workshop on the Role of Earthworms in the Stabilization of Organic Residues (M. Appelhof, compiler), Vol. 1, Proc. Beech Leaf Press, Kalamazoo, MI, pp. 155–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartenstein, R, Neuhauser, E. F. and Kaplan, D. L. (1979) Reproductive potential of the earthworm Eisenia foetida. Oecologia ( Berl.), 43, 329–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartenstein, R, Neuhauser, E. F. and Collier, J. (1980) Accumulation of heavy metals in the earthworm Eisenia foetida. J. Environ. Qual., 9, 23–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harwood, M. (1976) Recovery of protein from poultry waste by earthworms. Proc. 1st Austr. Poult. Stock feed Conv. Melbourne, pp. 138–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harwood, M. and Sabine, J. R (1978) The nutritive value of worm meal. Proc. 2nd Austr. Poult. Stock feed Conv., Sydney, pp. 164–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogg, T. W. (1895) Immunity of some low forms of life from lead poisoning. Chem. News, 71, 223–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hori, M., Kondon, K., Yoshida, T., Konishi, E. and Minami, S. (1974) Studies of antipyretic components in the Japanese earthworm Biochem. Pharmacol., 23, 1583–1590.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jakovljevic, D. D. (1975) Some aspects of the epizootology and economical significance of ascariasis in swine. Acta Vet., Beogr., 25, 315–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, J. MeV., Craig, J. V. and Clough, D. (1972) The presence of a hyperglycaemic factor in the suprapharyngeal ganglia of Lumbricus terrestris. Gen. Compo Endocrinol., 18,260–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCoy, F. (1878) Megascolides australis (McCoy). The giant earthworm. Natural History of Victoria-Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria, 1,21–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • McInroy, D. M. (1971) Evaluation of the earthworm Eiseniafoetida as a food for man and domestic animals. Feedstuffs, Feb. 20th, 37–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mekada, H., Hayashi, N., Yokota, H. and Okumura, J. (1979) Performance of growing and laying chickens fed diets containing earthworms (Eiseniafoetida). Jpn. Poult. Sci., 16, 293–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr, G. and Littleton, I. (1978) Preliminary economic evaluation of some exotic feedstuffs. Proc. 2nd Austr. Poult. Stockfeed Conv., Sydney, pp. 226–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, F. B. (1957) Feeds and Feeding. 22nd edn. Morrison Publishing Co., Ithaca, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naya, Y. and Kotake, M. (1967) Untersuchung der freien Fettsauren, der freien Sterine, der Sterinester und der Glyzeride im Regenwurm (Lumbricus spencer). Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 40, 880–884.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pellett, P. L. and Young, V. R. (eds.) (1980) Nutritional Evaluation of Protein Foods. (WHTR-3/UNUP-129). The United Nations University, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, J. W. and Reynolds, W. M. (1972) Earthworms in medicine. Am. J. Nurs., 72, 1273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabine, J. R (1975) Where has all the protein gone? (or Rediscovering animal wastes). Proc. 3rd Combined Conf. Austr. Chicken Meat Fed. Austr. Stock feed Manuf. Assoc., Adelaide, pp. 181–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabine, J. R (1978) The nutritive value of earthworm meal. In Utilization of Soil Organisms in Sludge Management (ed. R. Hartenstein), State Univ. N.Y., Syracuse. pp. 122–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabine, J. R (1981) Vermiculture as an option for resource recovery in the intensive animal industries. In Workshop on the Role of Earthworms in the Stabilization of Organic Residues (M. Appelhof, compiler), Vol. 1, Proc. Beech leaf Press Kalamazoo, MI, pp. 241–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, E. and Graff, O. (1977) Zur Bewertung von Regenwurmmehl aus Eisenia foetida (Savigny 1826) als Eiweissfuttermittel. LandbForsch- Volkenrode, 27, 216–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smyth, R. B. (1878) The Aborigines of Victoria, Vol. I, Melbourne. Suzuki, K. T., Yamamura, M. and Mori, T. (1980a) Cadmium-binding proteins induced in the earthworm. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 9, 415–424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki, K. T., Yamamura, M. and Mori, T. (1980b) Metabolicfate of earthworm cadmium-binding proteins in rats. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 9, 519–531.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taboga, L. (1980) The nutritional value of earthworms for chickens. Br. Poult. Sci., 21, 405–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, A. R. (1971) Effects of nine insecticides on the numbers and biomass of earthworms in pasture. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 5, 577–586.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voogt, P. A., van Rheenen, J. W. A. and Zandee, D. I. (1975) What about squalene in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris? Compo Biochem. Physiol., soB, 511–513

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida, M. and Hoshii, H. (1978) Nutritional value of earthworms for poultry feed. Jpn. Poult. Sci., 15, 308–311.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. J. R. Sabine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Merlewood Research Station, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, UK

    J. E. Satchell

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Chapman and Hall Ltd

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sabine, J.R. (1983). Earthworms as a source of food and drugs. In: Satchell, J.E. (eds) Earthworm Ecology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5965-1_24

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5965-1_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-5967-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5965-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation