Abstract
This study assessed the potential of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) enrichment in red earthworm (Eisenia fetida, REW), via the addition of fish oil (FO, anchovy oil) to the culture-compost. FO addition to compost was tested at graded inclusion doses (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 g/100 g compost) and for different timeperiods, up to 96h. Dose, time, as well as dose and time interactions of FO compost enrichment had significant effects on all fatty acids of earthworm bodies. The enrichment with 10 g FO/100 g compost sharply increased DHA levels of the worms (14.01 mol%) within just 24 h, compared to the control group (0.92 mol%). Similar increases (ranging between 10.99 and 15.55 mol%) occurred only after 48 and 96 h in lower FO enrichment levels (2.5 and 5.0 g/100 g compost, respectively). Therefore, it was concluded that, to obtain maximum n-3 LC-PUFA enrichment efficiency in REW, an enrichment period of 24 h is ideal and recommended for the 10 g FO/ 100 g compost, whereas longer enrichment periods (48-96 h) are more suitable for lower levels of FO inclusions (2.5 or 5 g/100 g compost).
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