Eisenia Fetida Research Articles

Unravelling the detoxification trail of potential toxic heavy metals: an insight into heavy metal auditing and ecological health upon valorisation by Lampito mauritii and Eudrilus eugeniae.

Evidence on prospective remediation of municipal solid waste contaminated with toxic heavy metals by Eudrilus eugeniae (Eu) and Lampito mauritii (L) is very scarce and yet to be explored. In this study, heavy metal detoxification potential of E. eugeniae and L. mauritii in municipal solid waste (MSW) + cowdung (CD) (3:1)-based feedstocks were investigated against Eisenia fetida (E) (a well-known vermi-remediator) and aerobic composting. Excellent reduction (70.01-93.04%) of potentially toxic heavy metals (PTHMs) (Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn) were evident in both E. eugeniae and L. mauritii employed treatments. Moreover, the results on heavy metal budget quotient clearly demonstrated the unique detoxification route undertaken by E. eugeniae and L. mauritii via humic composite facilitated chelation over the nominal bioaccumulation pathway. The principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the strong negative correlation between the heavy metal (HM) level in earthworm gut and MSW substrate, whereas a strong positive correlation between humic substances and HM remediation. Furthermore, analysis of ecological health parameters indicated substantial reduction of environmental risk and guaranteed negligible risk of PTHM if utilized as manure. Moreover, significant increment in total N content (3.2-3.8-fold), available P (4-5.9-fold), exchangeable K (3.66-fourfold) and enzyme activity along with significant reduction of TOC (~ 87%) confirmed E. eugeniae and L. mauritii could effectively stabilize MSW. Thus, the metal-binding potential of humic substances produced by earthworms during the detoxification of municipal solid waste (MSW), coupled with a metal budget analysis, has offered valuable insights into the usage of E. eugeniae and L. mauritii as effective contenders for sanitizing heavy metal-laden MSW.

Comparative Ecotoxicity Assessment of highly bioactive Isomeric monoterpenes carvacrol and thymol on aquatic and edaphic indicators and communities

The growing demand for sustainable natural products to replace harmful synthetic ones requires comprehensive ecotoxicity assessments to ensure their eco-friendly nature. This study explored for the first time the changes in microbial community growth and metabolic profiles from river and natural soil samples exposed to the two structural isomers, thymol (THY) and carvacrol (CARV), utilizing Biolog EcoPlate™ assays and 16S rRNA gene sequencing for taxonomic analysis. In addition, we addressed existing ecotoxicity data gaps for these two compounds by using aquatic (Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri) and soil (Eisenia fetida and Allium cepa) indicators. Results show acute toxicity of both CARV and THY on all indicators. V. fischeri (LC50=0.59 mg/L) >D. magna (4.75 mg/L) >A. cepa (6.47 mg/L) for CARV, and V. fischeri (LC50=1.71 mg/L) >A. cepa (4.05 mg/L) >D. magna (8.13 mg/L) for THY. E. fetida showed LC50 = 7.68 mg/Kg for THY and 1.04 for CARV. River and soil microbial communities showed resilience, likely because they contain taxa capable of biodegrading these products. No significant growth inhibition effects were observed up to 100 mg/L, though substrate utilization decreased at higher concentrations, particularly for polymers and amines in soil microorganisms and polymers in aquatic communities. Soil microorganisms were more affected than aquatic ones, with CARV being more toxic than THY (EC50120h = THY 94.13 and CARV 29.79 mg/L in soil microorganisms). These findings suggest that an increase in the consumption of these products and their subsequent ecotoxicity effects from environmental discharge should still be monitored before being ruled out. However, long-term effects are unlikely due to microbial degradation of these natural products, potentially reducing risks to other target species and opening the way for their use as substitutes for commercial antibiotics.

Combined application of earthworms and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria improve metal uptake, photosynthetic efficiency and modulate secondary metabolites levels under chromium metal toxicity in Brassica juncea L

Chromium (Cr) toxicity impairs essential morphological and metabolic activities in plants. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the beneficial role of plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strains namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa (M1), Burkholderia gladioli (M2) and earthworms (Eisenia fetida) in alleviating Cr toxicity in 10 days old Brassica juncea L. The findings delineated that addition of earthworms and PGPR restored growth, boosted Cr uptake and showed upregulation of metal transporter genes (SULTR 1-4). Supplementation of rhizospheric amendments reinstated Cr induced impairment in photosynthetic attributes. Gaseous exchange attributes, the efficiency of PS II, the content of total phenols, anthocyanin and flavonoids was enhanced with application of earthworms along with PGPR. Confocal imaging of primary photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll), accessory photosynthetic pigment (carotenoids) and total phenols showed maximum fluorescence with combined inoculation of earthworms and both microbial strains (M1M2). The gene expression analysis revealed that Phyotene synthase (PSY), Photosystem II core protein psb A, psb B were down regulated in Cr stressed seedlings which upon supplementation with earthworms and PGPR were upregulated. Further, Phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS) were upregulated with addition of earthworms and PGPR. Increased nitric oxide content, enhanced activity and upregulation of nitrate reductase (NR) gene was observed with addition of PGPR and earthworms

Cytoprotective Effects of Antioxidant Peptides from Red Californian Worm (Eisenia foetida) Hydrolysate on Differentiated Caco-2 Cells.

When prooxidants outweigh antioxidants, oxidative stress can occur, causing an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This process can lead to cellular damage and plays a role in the development of numerous health conditions. This study aimed to investigate the cytoprotective effects on differentiated Caco-2 cells of hydrolysates derived from the red Californian worm (WH) and their fractions, identify the peptides responsible for this effect, and elucidate the mechanisms involved. The WH was obtained through hydrolysis with Alcalase 2.4 L and subsequently fractionated to two fractions (F > 3 kDa and F < 3 kDa) using a ceramic membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of 3 kDa. The peptides found in the F < 3 kDa fraction, demonstrating the highest cytoprotective activity, were then sequenced via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS/MS), and molecular docking was conducted to elucidate the underlying antioxidant mechanisms. The hydrolysate of Eisenia foetida and its F < 3 kDa fraction exhibited no cytotoxicity, protected the cells from H2O2-induced oxidative stress (50% increase viability), preserved cell viability by restoring their redox status (ROS: 20% decrease, and glutathione (GSH): recovered to basal control levels) and cell cycle distribution, and decreased apoptosis (16%). Twenty-eight peptides were identified, with five showing antioxidant activity through stable interactions with myeloperoxidase (MPO) and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1), KPEDWDDR being the peptide that presented the highest affinity with both molecules (-7.9 and -8.8 kCal/mol, respectively). These results highlight the WH as a potential source of bioactive peptides for the management of oxidative stress.

Ecotoxicity of bioinsecticide spinosad to soil organisms: Commercial formulation versus active ingredient

Spintor® (SPIT®) is a commercial formulation of a bioinsecticide with the active ingredient Spinosad (SPIN). Despite the efforts of regulatory agencies, there still is a lack of information regarding short- and long-term exposures to soil-dwellers, as well as effects at environmentally relevant concentrations. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of SPIT® and SPIN, on the oligochaete Eisenia fetida, and the arthropod Folsomia candida. For this, natural soil was spiked with environmentally relevant concentrations (0.00–1.49 mg of the active ingredient·kg−1 of dry soil) to assess avoidance behaviour in E. fetida and reproduction effects on both species. Further, in E. fetida adults exposed for 2- and 28-day biomarkers of oxidative stress, energetic reserves, neurotoxicity and genotoxicity were evaluated. A significant reduction in juvenile production for F. candida was observed for SPIT® at ≥0.66 mg kg−1 and SPIN at ≥0.13 mg kg−1, and although no effect was observed on E. fetida reproduction, the oligochaeta revealed a tendency to avoid soil spiked with SPIT® at 0.44, 0.66 and 1.49 mg kg−1. The sub-individual responses of E. fetida demonstrate genotoxicity upon exposure to SPIT® and SPIN for 2 days. The 2-day exposures of SPIT® and SPIN seem to induce defence mechanisms, and in general, SPIN exerted higher effects than SPIT® on the oligochaetes. Overall, the pro-oxidant performance and energy metabolism pathways were disrupted in both exposures to SPIT® and SPIN. The results suggest that spinosyns-based products can have an impact on soil arthropods F. candida and oligochaete's health, possibly affecting their essential functions in terrestrial ecosystems.

Occurrence and Fate of Fluoroalkyl Sulfonamide-Based Copolymers in Earthworms-Bioavailability, Transformation, and Potential Impact of Sludge Application.

To date, considerable knowledge and data gaps regarding the occurrence, environmental levels, and fate of polymeric perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exist. In the present study availability, accumulation, and transformation of C4- and C8-fluoroalkylsulfonamide (FASA)-based copolymers were assessed in laboratory-grown earthworms (Eisenia fetida, triplicate of exposure tests and control). Further, a field study on earthworms (18 pooled samples) in sludge-amended soil was conducted to assess the environmental impact of sludge-amended soil with regard to the FASA-based copolymers, together with the applied sludge (n = 3), and the field soils during the period (n = 4). In the laboratory study, the FASA-based copolymers were taken up by the earthworms in concentrations between 19 and 33 ng/g of dw for the C8- and between 767 and 1735 ng/g of dw for the C4-FASA-based copolymer. Higher biota soil accumulation factors (BAFs) were observed for the copolymer with a longer perfluorinated side-chain length (C8, average BAF value of 0.7) compared to the copolymer with a shorter side-chain length (C4, average BAF value of 0.02). Perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetates (FOSAAs) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA), including both branched and linear isomers, were detected after exposure to the C8-FASA-based copolymer. Two metabolites were detected in the earthworms exposed to the C4-FASA-based copolymer: perfluorobutanesulfonamide (FBSA) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). Although the presence of other monomers or impurities in the copolymer formulation cannot be ruled out, the present laboratory study suggests that the FASA-based copolymers may be an indirect source of lower molecular weight PFAS in the environment through transformation. Elevated levels of C8-FASA-based copolymer were found in the field sludge-amended soil compared to nontreated soil (32 versus 11 ng/g d.w.), and higher concentrations of PFAS in earthworms living in sludge-amended soil compared to nontreated soil (566 versus 103 ng/g d.w.) were observed. These findings imply that the application of sludge is a potential pathway of PFAS to the environment.

Ecotoxicological impacts of cadmium on soil microorganisms and earthworms Eisenia foetida: from gene regulation to physiological processes

Cadmium is a hazardous heavy metal that is commonly found in the soil and poses significant risks to soil organisms. The toxic effects of Cd on soil microorganisms and earthworms (Eisenia foetida) have been extensively studied, but most studies focused on high Cd pollution levels. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the different responses of soil organisms to moderate and low levels of Cd contamination. According to the study, the presence of 2.5 mg/kg of Cd had a significant impact on the microbial community’s composition and diversity. The relative abundance of most microbes decreased, while the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota showed a considerable increase. The LEFSE analysis revealed that the Bacillus genus of the Firmicutes phylum can serve as a biomarker in soil contaminated with 2.5 mg/kg of Cd. At the same time, the functional analysis of PICRUSt 2 shows that microorganisms found in polluted soil have a noticeable decrease in their ability to metabolize lipids. On the other hand, our findings indicate that Cd has a detrimental effect on the biomass of earthworms and induces oxidative stress in these animals. The activation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes in earthworms was carried out to mitigate oxidative stress. The study found a strong positive relationship between SOD and both time and Cd pollution. However, CAT exhibited inhibition throughout the later stages of the experiment, particularly when exposed to relatively higher levels of pollution. The analysis of RNA in earthworms revealed that soil Cd pollution at a concentration of 2.5 mg/kg primarily impacts the cellular structure and function of earthworms. This pollution disrupts the integrity of the cytoskeleton structure, hampers DNA replication, and compromises the precision of cell signaling. Simultaneously, when compared to the control group, several metabolic pathways exhibited abnormalities.

Vermicomposting Bio Earth: A Sustainable Approach for Enhanced Nutrient Content and Heavy Metal Remediation in Soil Management

&lt;p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:11pt"&gt;&lt;span style="line-height:150%"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Calibri,&amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"&gt;&lt;span style="line-height:150%"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:&amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;,&amp;quot;serif&amp;quot;"&gt;The present study obtained the Bio Earth sample from six locations, represented as LS-(1-6). The collected bio earth sample was blended with an adult earthworm (&lt;i&gt;Eisenia fetida&lt;/i&gt;). The experimental investigation was conducted for 108 days, and earthworms showed maximum biomass and population ephemerality in Bio Earth samples (Bio Earth + cow dung). However, the pre-treated and post-treated samples were monitored through physicochemical analysis like pH, electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density (&lt;i&gt;ρ&lt;/i&gt;), total organic content (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorous (TP), total potassium (TK), C:N ratio, and heavy metals. Among the six Bio Earth samples, the most significant LS-3 reveals the reduction of operating parameters and finds the below detection limit of heavy metals. At the initial level of LS-3, samples were found to be pH-7.2, EC-1.4 ms/cm, &lt;i&gt;ρ&lt;/i&gt;-0.8 g/cm&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;, TOC-8.6%, TN-0.6%, TP- 0.3%, TK-0.4%, C:N ratio-16.3%, heavy metals (Zn-448.8 mg/kg; Cu-132.5 mg/kg; Ni-61.4 mg/kg; Pb-91.2 mg/kg; Cr-116.3 mg/kg), whereas the post-treated vermicomposting sample results were exhibited at pH-6.8, EC-2.167 ms/cm, &lt;i&gt;ρ&lt;/i&gt;-0.85 g/cm&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;, TOC-9.54%, TN-0.67%, TP-0.48%, TK-0.13%, C:N ratio-14.23%, heavy metals (Zn-64.13 mg/kg; Cu-5.5 mg/kg; Ni-7.26 mg/kg; Pb-101 mg/kg; Cr-51 mg/kg). The data displays that vermicomposting (using&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;E. fetida&lt;/em&gt;) is an applicable technology for decomposing organic matter into prosperous nutrient soil enlargement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Impact of Vermiwash on the Growth and Yield of Green Gram (Vigna radiata) MI6

Green gram (Vigna radiata) cultivation in Sri Lanka heavily relies on inorganic fertilizers, leading to environmental and health issues that necessitate the exploration of alternatives; therefore, a field experiment was conducted at the Adaptive Research Centre in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, to evaluate the impact of vermiwash on the growth and yield of the green gram variety MI6. Vermiwash was prepared using cow dung, banana fruit waste, mold leaves, and red worms (Eisenia fetida). Six treatments were established in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), including controls such as no fertilizer (T1) and 100% recommended inorganic fertilizer (T2). The remaining treatments combined half-doses of inorganic fertilizer with varying concentrations of vermiwash as a foliar spray: 25% (T3), 50% (T4), 75% (T5), and 100% (T6). The prepared vermiwash had a pH of 7.63 and contained total available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at 0.014%, 0.355%, and 1.500%, respectively. The highest plant height, leaf area index, and number of branches were recorded in T5 (42.13±0.21 cm, 10.48±0.28, and 3.67±0.31, respectively), showing no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) from T2. The lowest days for 50% of flowering were observed in T5 (42±0). The highest number of pods per plant, pod length, pod girth, seeds per pod, 100 seeds weight, and total yield (27.17±0.78, 11.27±0.17, 2.29±0.02, 12±0.22, 7.18±0.10 g, and 212±1.49 g) were observed in T5, significantly different (P &lt; 0.05) from T2. This study suggests reducing inorganic fertilizer by half and combining it with 75% vermiwash (T5) for optimal growth and yield.

Studies on in vitro Anti-Diabetic Activities of the Epigeic Earthworm, Eisenia fetida Extract

Studies on in vitro Anti-Diabetic Activities of the Epigeic Earthworm, Eisenia fetida Extract

Two-Dimensional Layered Nano-MoS2 Induces Earthworm Immune Cell Apoptosis by Regulating Lysosomal Maintenance and Function: Toward Unbiased Screening and Validation of Suspicious Pathways.

Molybdenum-based nanosheets (NSMoS2) are increasingly applied in various fields and undergoing relevant risk evaluations on subjectively hypothesized toxicity pathways. However, risk assessment should be unbiased and focus on appropriate end points to avoid biased prescreening. Here, we developed an adverse biological outcome screening strategy based on nontargeted functional protein profiles in earthworm (Eisenia fetida) immune cells exposed to NSMoS2 and their ionic counterpart (Na2MoO4). Through this framework, the apoptosis-related processes with distinct mechanisms were rapidly identified and thoroughly validated phenotypically. Specifically, upon exposure to 50 μg Mo/mL Na2MoO4, cellular signaling and energy homeostasis were disrupted within the transcription-translation biological chain. The autophagic pathway was activated, which, together with energy deprivation, phenotypically induced significant autophagy that ultimately led to apoptosis. In contrast, NSMoS2, tested at the same concentration, caused a reprogramming of apoptotic gene and protein expressions. Transcriptome plasticity facilitated the endocytic-adaptive transcriptional profile characterized by cytoskeleton remodeling and lysosome organization/movement under NSMoS2 exposure. Subcellular dynamics further revealed NSMoS2-induced lysosomal damage with a time-sensitive physiological window, ultimately mediating apoptosis. These findings provide a mechanistic and visual understanding of the distinct risk profile of NSMoS2 compared to molybdate, highlighting the importance of integrating nontargeted screening and phenotypic validation in early risk warning.

Butyl benzyl phthalate induces neurotoxicity in Eisenia fetida: Mechanisms revealed by biochemical and metabolomic analyses

Phthalates, particularly butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), are ubiquitous environmental contaminants with potential neurotoxic effects. However, their impact on soil organisms, especially earthworms (Eisenia fetida), remains poorly understood. The current study investigated the neurotoxic effects of BBP on Eisenia fetida in artificial and red soils using an integrated approach combining biochemical assays, metabolomics, and molecular docking. Earthworms were exposed to 0, 1, and 10 mg kg−1 BBP for 14 and 28 days. Biochemical assays revealed significant increases in oxidative stress markers and disruptions in neurotransmission-related enzyme activities. Metabolomic analysis of the cerebral ganglia identified alterations in energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathways. Molecular docking studies corroborated these findings, showing strong interactions between BBP and essential neuronal proteins, particularly the sodium pump. The integration of these data suggests that BBP-induced neurotoxicity in Eisenia fetida is primarily mediated by calcium signaling pathway dysfunction and calcium homeostasis imbalance. Notably, neurotoxic effects were more pronounced in red soil than in artificial soil, highlighting the importance of considering soil type in ecotoxicological assessments. The current study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of BBP-induced neurotoxicity in soil invertebrates and underscores the potential ecological risks associated with phthalate contamination in agricultural environments.

Bioaccumulation, transformation and toxicity of imidacloprid and dinotefuran in Eisenia fetida under single and binary exposure scenarios

Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to individual and binary mixture of imidacloprid (IMI) and dinotefuran (DIN) at 0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg for 28 days to investigate their bioaccumulation, transformation and toxicity. IMI was more easily absorbed by earthworms than DIN, and worms didn’t accumulate or generate toxic metabolites. The obvious accumulation of neonicotinoids during later period caused significant neural dysfunction, especially when exposed to high-concentration IMI. Meanwhile, oxidative stress indicated by decreased SOD/CAT activity (33.2 %-68.1 %) and increased MDA (38.4 %-55.0 %) was induced by binary exposure with high-concentration IMI. By contrast, coelomocytes responded earlier and more strongly than oxidative responses. Coelomocytes’ viability and mitochondrial membrane potential were inhibited (23.6 %-91.7 %) mainly by IMI and binary exposure. Coelomocytes’ lactate dehydrogenase activity exerted a fluctuating pattern, suggesting irregular disturbance on cellular functions. This study highlights the role of coelomocytes and the need to consider binary/multiple scenarios and transformation of neonicotinoids in their risk assessment to earthworms.

Determination of Toxicity at Different Trophic Levels of Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Used in Fire Fighting.

Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), containing perfluorinated surfactants, can reach the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the ecotoxicity of AFFF, according to the type of fire to be fought (A1: 1.05g.L- 1, A2: 3.15g.L- 1 and A3: 6.30g.L- 1), to bioindicators of different trophic levels. For Artemia salina a toxic effect was observed at sample A1 (at concentrations of 100%), A2 (at concentrations above 25%) and A3 (at concentrations above 12.5%). For Lactuca sativa all samples affected the number of germinated seeds, speed and percentage of germination and root length. To the Eisenia fetida earthworm, samples A2 and A3 were considered toxic due to the percent avoidance being 70% and 100%, respectively. In Macaca mullata renal cell culture test, none of the samples were toxic by the MTT test. Therefore, it is necessary to develop methods for the safe use of AFFF by professionals.

Ecotoxicological risk of co-exposure to fosthiazate and microplastics on earthworms (Eisenia fetida): Integrating biochemical and transcriptomic analyses

Fosthiazate (FOS) is a widely used organophosphorus insecticide effective against soil root-knot nematodes. However, its ecotoxicity to non-target soil organisms, particularly in combination with microplastics (MPs), is unclear. This study explores the toxic-effects and molecular mechanisms of co-exposure to FOS and MPs on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) using multilevel toxicity endpoints and transcriptomics. Results showed that both FOS and MPs elevated the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in earthworms’ cells. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities followed a similar trend in all treatments, with changes observed at 14 and 28 days, indicating that co-exposure to FOS and MPs increased DNA oxidative damage. Notably, the co-exposure more significantly inhibited Ca2+-ATPase activity and exacerbated neurotoxicity compared to individual treatments, closely associated with changes in intracellular ROS levels that mediate neuroinhibition and lead to neurotoxicity. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that MPs and FOS disrupted pathways related to metabolism, immunity, and apoptosis, while co-exposure primarily impaired endocrine and receptor pathways, showing higher toxicity. Our study offers novel insights into the ecotoxicological effects and mechanisms of pesticides and microplastics on earthworms, providing valuable data for evaluating the soil environmental health risks associated with compound pollution.

Влияние предварительной биоконверсии пшеничной соломы в модельной природоподобной системе на продуктивность растений

Studies focused on maintaining high productivity and stability of artificial ecosystems that reproduce the processes of natural cenoses are relevant and interesting. It seems to be effective to include decomposers, detritivores and vegetative waste in model systems aimed at obtaining products. The use of earthworms as detritivores is promising because they utilize the organic matter as well as enrich the substrates with microflora including those with antagonistic and growth-stimulating activities. The aim of this study was to assess the prospects of preliminary bioconversion of wheat straw by basidiomycetes (Lentinus tigrinus and Pleurotus ostreatus) to increase the productivity of lettuce plants. The work was carried out in laboratory conditions with model systems consisting of a substrate (peat, cattle manure and wheat straw with and without bioconversion), earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa cultivar Credo). The leaf area, the weight of each plant (wet and dry), the productivity of lettuce plants, and the content of the main biogenic elements in the plant tissue and substrate were evaluated. The number and weight of adult worms at the beginning and at the end of the experiment, and the number of juvenile worms at the end of the experiment, the number of cocoons, as well as coprolite weight and yield were considered. A significant phytotoxic effect when straw was added into the substrate was found. The addition of straw processed by basidiomycetes (10%) in the substrate had a favorable effect on the earthworm population. Growing lettuce on substrates with bioconverted straw and with the earthworm introduction increases the content of major macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) in plants. The introduction of earthworms contributed to a significant decrease in the phytotoxicity of substrates. Thus, it is possible to recommend the inclusion of fungiculture wastes (such as substrates after fruiting bodies obtaining) in green crop production systems together with the introduction of earthworms into substrates.

Investigation of the Effects of Waste Olive Pomace on Vermicompost

The effects of olive pomace on the degradation of organic matter were investigated via vermicomposting. Biomass consisting of eggshell, cabbage, banana peel, napkin, nutshell, cattle manure, and soil was amended with varying amounts of olive pomace (0, 15, 30, 37.5%). These four mixtures, with a total of 2000g, were fed to 170 Eisenia fetida earthworms per mixture. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption, FT-IR, and elemental analyses analyzed samples collected from biomass at the end of 45 days. Results were evaluated to determine the effect of olive pomace on organic matter degradation and earthworm vitality. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms of feedstock revealed a decrease in void volumes, implying the formation of a compact structure with olive pomace addition. Vermicomposting of biomass enhanced biomass’s compactness, further validated by decreases in BET surface areas, pore sizes, and pore volumes. The 31% increase of earthworm biomass in the presence of 37.5% olive pomace implied an affinity of Eisenia fetida towards olive pomace. This finding was further validated by FT-IR peaks obtained at 2850 and 2923 cm-1, showing increased biomass aromaticity due to the degradation of readily biodegradable aliphatic structure introduced by olive pomace. Ongoing organic matter degradation could be observed with the decrease of C/N ratios in the presence of olive pomace as high as 15%. However, a further increase in olive pomace increased the C/N ratio, which was explained by the increase in total nitrogen values during vermicomposting. Elemental analyses evaluated regarding C/N, O/C, and H/C ratios also indicated increased earthworm mobility with increasing olive pomace in the feedstock. The results obtained in the study were interpreted to introduce olive pomace as a preferable nutrition source for earthworms, which was the highlight of the present study

Environmental Implications of Ionic Liquid and Deep Eutectic Solvent in Geothermal Application: Comparing Traditional and New Approach Methods.

The significant surge of ionic liquids (ILs) research over the past decade has led to the formation of various novel ionic liquid compounds and their diverse applications. Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) for geothermal power generation are an emerging IL application as a heat extraction fluid. The once widely held belief in the environmentally friendly characteristics of ionic liquids, mainly due to their insignificant vapor pressure, is now being scrutinized. It has become apparent that while ILs do not readily evaporate into the atmosphere, they are not guaranteed to remain entirely isolated from the environment. Recent attention has been directed toward toxicological studies, including ecotoxicity impacts, with the long-accepted assumption of ILs having low toxicity being invalid. This paper aims to shed light on the toxicity of hexylepyradinium bromide (HPyBr) IL and a deep eutectic solvent (DES) comprising choline chloride with magnesium chloride hexahydrate (ChCl:MgCl2·6H2O) to five test species, an algal species (Raphidocelis subcapitata), the water flea (Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphina magna), the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and the earthworm (Eisenia fetida), to measure acute and chronic toxicity. Additionally, new approach methods (NAMs) are presented using the fathead minnow embryo and the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) gill cell line and the RTgill-W1 assay to compare sensitivity across species. Overall, ChCl:MgCl2·6H2O displayed lower toxicity, while HPyBr demonstrated higher toxicity, highlighting the need for caution in handling it to prevent harm to aquatic ecosystems. Comparative analysis underscored the potential threat of ChCl:MgCl2·6H2O to aquatic life, highlighting the cumulative effects of the environmental components.

Fluxapyroxad induced toxicity of earthworms: Insights from multi-level experiments and molecular simulation studies

Fluxapyroxad, an emerging succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicide, is widely used due to its excellent properties. Given its persistence in soil with a 50 % disappearance time of 183–1000 days, it is crucial to evaluate the long-term effects of low-dose fluxapyroxad on non-target soil organisms such as earthworms (Eisenia fetida). The present study investigated the impacts of fluxapyroxad (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg kg−1) on Eisenia fetida over 56 days, focusing on oxidative stress, digestive and nervous system functions, and histopathological changes. We also explored the mechanisms of fluxapyroxad-enzyme interactions through molecular docking and dynamics simulations. Results demonstrated a significant dose-response relationship in the integrated biomarker response of 12 biochemical indices. Fluxapyroxad altered expression levels of functional genes and induced histopathological damage in earthworm epidermis and intestines. Molecular simulations revealed that fluxapyroxad is directly bound to active sites of critical enzymes, potentially disrupting their structure and function. Even at low doses, long-term fluxapyroxad exposure significantly impacted earthworm physiology, with effects becoming more pronounced over time. Our findings provide crucial insights into the chronic toxicity of fluxapyroxad and emphasize the importance of long-term, low-dose studies in pesticide risk assessment in soil. This research offers valuable guidance for the responsible management and application of fungicides.

Electrophoretic analysis of proteins from raw materials and commercial diets used in animal feed

In aquaculture, balanced feed accounts for 50% to 70% of the operational costs of cultivating aquatic organisms. This feed is made from various raw materials that serve as protein sources, which significantly influence the final cost of the feed. Therefore, an electrophoretic study was conducted to compare the protein content in different raw materials and commercial diets used in animal feed. Electrophoretic profiles with standard concentration gels (SDS-PAGE) were used to separate protein fractions from animal-origin raw materials, including Earthworm Meals of Eisenia andrei (HLF) and Eisenia fetida (HLT), meat-bone meal (MBM), and fish meal (FM), as well as plant-origin meals, such as Leucaena leaf meal (LLM), corn meal (YCM), and wheat bran (WBM). Commercial diets (A, B, and C) were also evaluated. The protein content of the samples was determined. For electrophoretic analysis, a protease inhibitor cocktail was used, along with a molecular weight standard with a range from 250 to 4 kDa. The molecular weights of the diets ranged between 31.1 and 234.1 kDa, 36.3 and 190.4 kDa, and 4.281 and 95.685 kDa. Some of the protein bands in the analyzed samples (HLF, HLT, FM, YCM, and WBM) were very close to the reference protein bands at 148, 98, 64, 50, and 36 kDa, corresponding to the molecular weight standard used. Electrophoretic characterization provided insight into the different protein fractions, offering valuable information about their potential functional and nutritional properties. Electrophoresis is an essential analytical tool for assessing both the quality and safety of raw materials and foods.