Quantification of hydrolytic and proteolytic enzymes in the excreta of three epigeic earthworms and detection of thiocarbamic acid by GC-MS-MS

Abstract

Epigeic earthworms excrete various metabolites under stress conditions and a water-extract of this fluid (vermiwash), obtained from three different earthworms (E. fetida, E. euginae and P. excavatus) were examined in this experiment. The highest activities of cellulase and amylase enzymes in the vermiwash were observed in E. fetida, while P. excavatus and E. euginae recorded the highest activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases, respectively. Higher protease activity of P. excavatus and E. euginae was due to the higher concentration of group I, group II and group III isozymes, though E. fetida had a higher concentration of group IV isozyme. Thiocarbamic acid was detected in the vermiwash by GC-MS-MS analysis and is probably responsible for its pesticidal properties.