Feed Material Research Articles

A microscale cellular automaton method for solid-state phase transformation of directed energy deposited Ti6Al4V

Directed energy deposition is a promising additive manufacturing technology that fabricates complex geometries by fusing feed material layer-by-layer. However, the formation mechanism of the directed energy deposited Ti6Al4V solid-state phase transformation process, which is crucial for understanding the process-structure–property relationship, has remained unclear. In this study, a microscale cellular automaton method is proposed to simulate the microstructure evolution process for Ti6Al4V, specifically the β→α/α′ phase transformation process within a few β grains. The method is further integrated with the mesoscale cellular automaton method, which predicts the prior β grain structure, the solid-state phase transformation kinetics model for the prediction of the phase volume fractions, and the finite volume method, which is used for the thermal-fluid flow modelling, providing a temperature field to the former. The integrated numerical framework not only links the thermal history with the phase volume fractions but also provides the columnar β grain structures and acicular α/α′ grain structures in satisfying agreement with the available experimental observation. Moreover, the predictions shed some light on the formation mechanism of the hierarchical α/α′ structure and their particular clusters. The influence of the cooling rate on the α/α′ grain formation is illustrated via the three-layer case simulation. The findings on the formation mechanism of α/α′ are beneficial in tailoring the microstructure of Ti6Al4V for excellent mechanical properties in directed energy deposited Ti6Al4V.

Karakteristik limbah pertanian dan dampaknya: Mengapa pengelolaan ramah lingkungan penting?

Background: Agricultural waste is a significant by-product of the agrarian sector, with the potential for substantial environmental and economic impacts. This study aims to examine the characteristics of organic agricultural waste and analyze its effects on the environment, both in terms of threats and its potential utilization. Method: This study employs a systematic literature review method. The literature search focuses on articles discussing agricultural waste, its characteristics, and its environmental impacts. Findings: The results show that agricultural waste has diverse characteristics based on fiber composition, physical form, and protein content. The main threats from agricultural waste include water pollution due to nutrient runoff and greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane. However, this waste also holds significant potential as a source of organic mulch, animal feed, and raw material for bioenergy. Utilizing agricultural waste as mulch can improve soil quality and crop yields, while its use as animal feed supports the integration of agricultural and livestock systems. In the context of energy, converting waste into biogas and biofuel offers an effective solution. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of integrated and sustainable agricultural waste management to minimize negative impacts and optimize its economic potential. Novelty/Originality of this article: By providing a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics and impacts of agricultural waste, this study offers insights into the importance of a holistic approach to agricultural waste management to support sustainable agriculture.

Deciphering physiological and transcriptional mechanisms of maize seed germination.

Maize is a valuable raw material for feed and food production. Healthy seed germination is important for improving the yield and quality of maize. Seed aging occurs relatively fast in crops and it is a process that delays germination as well as reduces its rate and even causes total loss of seed viability. However, the physiological and transcriptional mechanisms that regulate maize seeds, especially aging seed germination remain unclear. Coronatine (COR) which is a phytotoxin produced by Pseudomonas syringae and a new type of plant growth regulator can effectively regulate plant growth and development, and regulate seed germination. In this study, the physiological and transcriptomic mechanisms of COR-induced maize seed germination under different aging degrees were analyzed. The results showed that 0.001-0.01μmol/L COR could promote the germination of aging maize seed and the growth of primary roots and shoots. COR treatment increased the content of gibberellins (GA3) and decreased the content of abscisic acid (ABA) in B73 seeds before germination. The result of RNA-seq analysis showed 497 differentially expressed genes in COR treatment compared with the control. Three genes associated with GA biosynthesis (ZmCPPS2, ZmD3, and ZmGA2ox2), and two genes associated with GA signaling transduction (ZmGID1 and ZmBHLH158) were up-regulated. Three genes negatively regulating GA signaling transduction (ZmGRAS48, ZmGRAS54, and Zm00001d033369) and two genes involved in ABA biosynthesis (ZmVP14 and ZmPCO14472) were down-regulated. The physiological test results also showed that the effects of GA and ABA on seed germination were similar to those of high and low-concentration COR, respectively, which indicated that the effect of COR on seed germination may be carried out through GA and ABA pathways. In addition, GO and KEGG analysis suggested that COR is also highly involved in antioxidant enzyme systems and secondary metabolite synthesis to regulate maize seed germination processes. These findings provide a valuable reference for further research on the mechanisms of maize seed germination.

El impacto de la suplementación dietética con Azolla (Azolla pinnata R.Br.) sobre el rendimiento productivo y el perfil bioquímico sérico de los pollos de engorde

For decades, Algeria has faced difficulties related to importing raw materials for livestock feed, such as soybeans and corn. The aim of this study was to valorize Azolla as an important source of nutrients, particularly proteins, in broiler production. For this purpose, 60 broiler chicks of the Cobb 500 breed were divided into two groups, each containing three repetitions of 10 birds. The diets of the tested and control groups were the same, except for the tested group, which received Azolla as a supplement. The nutritional value of Azolla incorporated into the diet was assessed chemically. Liveweight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, offal weight, carcass yield, and biochemical profile for both groups were observed and compared. The intake of Azolla had no impact on production yield (p˃0.05); however, the best liveweight at sacrifice was obtained in the Azolla group, with a value of 2600.67 g, whereas the mean recorded in the control group was 2431.67 g. Regarding the weight and yield of offal and carcass, we found the same observation: the highest weight of thighs and wings was recorded in the Azolla group. All blood biochemical parameters examined (glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total protein, albumin, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) showed no significant difference, except for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which was found to be significantly higher in the Azolla group (P˂0.05). Azolla pinnata, a source of unconventional protein, may therefore be an alternative to the costly poultry feed used in Algeria. Keywords: Azolla supplementation, broiler diets, sacrifice.

Effects of dietary fermented attachments of suspension cage as a replacement for sea mud on growth and intestinal health of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

In the suspension cage culture process, regular cleaning to remove epiphytic organisms from the cage is essential to prevent economic losses due to the sinking of the cage. However, after cleaning, many of attachments from the suspension cage accumulate in the tidal flats, causing environmental pollution and resource wastage. Moreover, because sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus) are sedimentary food organisms, sea mud is typically added to their feed to varying degrees. However, long-term excavation of sea mud can destroy the marine environment. Therefore, developing an alternative new raw feed material to replace sea mud in sea cucumber feed is necessary to promote sustainable development of the A. japonicus aquaculture industry. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of using fermented attachments of suspension cage (FASC) as a raw feed material for A. japonicus. Different FASC concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 %) were used in A. japonicus feed for 60 d. Replacing Sea mud with 100 % FASC significantly improved sea cucumber growth, reduced the feed coefficient, significantly increased the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes, improved intestinal structure, and enriched intestinal microbiome diversity. Furthermore, expressions of growth genes mapk-7 and fgfr-1 significantly increased in the 100 % FASC treatment compared with that in the control, and that of negative growth regulator gene gdf-8 was inhibited. The results suggested the potential of FASC as a new raw feed material for A. japonicus.

3D Printable Materials Based on Renewable Polymers from Terpene Alcohols and Calcium Carbide

AbstractThe transition to a sustainable future requires the use of waste‐free technologies for production. Potentially, additive technologies can be a promising approach for accessing circular economy due to the precise amount of feeding materials and the absence of molds. However, the initial feeding materials for additive approaches are often based on non–renewable hydrocarbon sources. This work focused on the use of polymers derived from terpene alcohols to develop a filament suitable for 3D printing. Initially, the vinylation of menthol using calcium carbide was optimized and scaled up, then a series of terpenyl–based vinyl ethers were obtained under optimal conditions. The cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers was also scaled up and resulted in 99 % yield of the polymers, which was subsequently subjected to hot extrusion. The initial terpenol was used as an additive to increase polymer flexibility. The addition of menthol (30 wt %) to polyvinyl menthol led to the suitable filament. Using the filament, a series of objects were 3D printed at 125 °C. The material demonstrated good sinterability and adhesion to glass and shrinkage comparable to that of commercial 3D printing filaments. Furthermore, the polymers obtained were used as additives to enhance the adhesion of commercially available filaments.

Diseminasi Snack Ternak Berbahan Baku Lokal (Berakal) Sebagai Solusi Pakan Berkualitas dan Ekonomis di Kabupaten Sigi

Considering the abundance of underutilized local feed materials, particularly large amounts of agricultural waste that have yet to be optimized as a feed source, the production of feed snacks is expected to provide a solution for utilizing this waste. By adding local ingredients such as moringa leaves, which have highly potential nutritional content, the development of these feed snacks is further enhanced. Moringa leaves are a valuable commodity in terms of both their nutritional content and benefits when added to feed formulations, serving to complement the standardized nutrient requirements. Through a technological processing involving silage/fermentation and to facilitate application and increase storage life, the product is formed into snacks. Addressing the ongoing complaints of farmers regarding the need for feed with high protein content at an economical price, the BERAKAL livestock snack emerges as a solution to meet this demand. With an affordable price, it is expected to fulfill the needs of farmers who face a shortage of quality feed compared to commercial concentrates which are relatively more expensive. The methods of socialization and technical guidance typically involve several stages and strategies to enhance the competence and awareness of the community, such as initial socialization, training and technical guidance, and general technical guidance. BERAKAL livestock snacks can increase livestock productivity, leading to increased production of meat, milk, and eggs, and improving the competitiveness of Indonesian livestock products. BERAKAL livestock snacks can enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian livestock products in the global market. The BERAKAL livestock snack program has the potential to provide significant benefits to universities in terms of implementing MBKM and achieving IKU. Some of these benefits include increasing collaboration with industry partners and the community. This program will involve industry partners and the community in the development and marketing of BERAKAL livestock snacks. This collaboration can enhance the university's reputation as a reliable partner in developing products and services that benefit the community.

Evaluating the efficiency of supplementary feeding as a management strategy for enhancing honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colony growth and productivity

Sustaining honeybee colonies is challenging during dearth periods as their metabolic functions are reduced due to limited foraging activities. The experiment used honeybee colonies of Apis mellifera, and five different low-cost supplementary foods—sugar, banana, pumpkin, maize flour, and rice flour syrups—were introduced as treatments. Every box for each treatment received a daily 300-ml supplementary food syrup consisting of a specific amount of feeding materials along with 100 g of brown sugar and 20 g of honey. The amount of food consumed was assessed on the second day following the supplementation. Supplemental food with low-cost feeding materials significantly impacts the growth and strength of the colonies. Results revealed significant impacts on colony growth and strength, with all supplements contributing to food consumption over 78%. Despite variations in brood and pollen cells, all feeding supplements showcased efficiency in supporting honeybee feeding, indicating their potential utility in mitigating the challenges during the dearth period. Notably, pumpkin syrup emerged as the best supplement, offering cost-effectiveness compared to sugar and banana syrups, and it could reduce sugar syrup costs by 50% while enhancing brood, honey, and pollen cell production by 71.36%, 108.36%, and 58.73%, respectively. The findings of the economic analysis revealed that the cost of feeding materials was the highest for sugar syrup ($1.89), followed by banana ($0.91), pumpkin ($0.83), maize ($0.53), and rice ($0.53). This study suggests that supplementing honeybee colonies with low-cost feeding materials can positively impact colony growth and strength during dearth periods and advance the beekeeper’s decision as a cost-effective alternative to traditional sugar syrup.

Impact of surfactant raw material variability on extrudate clarity appearance (transparency) in HME continuous manufacturing

The appearance of an extrudate formulation was monitored during hot-melt extrusion (HME) continuous manufacturing over 3 days. The formulation matrix consisted of a polymeric component, copovidone, and a low molecular weight surfactant, polysorbate 80. Based on studies prior to the continuous manufacturing, the desired appearance of the target extrudate is translucent. Although process parameters such as feed rate and screw speed were fixed during the continuous manufacturing, the extrudate appearance changed over time from turbid to translucent. For root-cause investigation, the extrudates were analyzed offline by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and advanced polymer chromatography (APC™). Although the polysorbate 80 content of both turbid and translucent extrudates was within target, the glass transition temperature of the turbid extrudate was 2 °C above expected value. The observed turbidity was traced to lot-to-lot variability of the polysorbate 80 used in the continuous manufacturing, where APC™ analysis revealed that the relative content of the low molecular weight component varied from 23% to 27% in correlation with the evolution from turbid to translucent extrudates. This work stresses the importance of taking feeding material variability into account during continuous manufacturing.

Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis to elucidate the effect of gossypol on Enterobacter sp. GD5.

Gossypol, a yellow polyphenolic compound found in the Gossypium genus, is toxic to animals that ingest cotton-derived feed materials. However, ruminants display a notable tolerance to gossypol, attributed to the pivotal role of ruminal microorganisms in its degradation. The mechanisms of how rumen microorganisms degrade and tolerate gossypol remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, Enterobacter sp. GD5 was isolated from rumen fluid, and the effects of gossypol on its metabolism and gene expression were investigated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and RNA analyses. The LC-MS results revealed that gossypol significantly altered the metabolic profiles of 15 metabolites (eight upregulated and seven downregulated). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis results showed that significantly different metabolites were associated with glutathione metabolism in both positive and negative ion modes, where gossypol significantly affected the biosynthesis of amino acids in the negative ion mode. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that gossypol significantly affected 132 genes (104 upregulated and 28 downregulated), with significant changes observed in the expression of catalase peroxidase, glutaredoxin-1, glutathione reductase, thioredoxin 2, thioredoxin reductase, and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit F, which are related to antioxidative stress. Furthermore, Gene Ontology analysis revealed significant changes in homeostatic processes following gossypol supplementation. Overall, these results indicate that gossypol induces oxidative stress, resulting in the increased expression of antioxidative stress-related genes in Enterobacter sp. GD5, which may partially explain its tolerance to gossypol.

Nanotechnology‐based approaches for mycotoxin detection in food and feed

AbstractMycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain molds and fungi that contaminate various food commodities, posing serious adverse effects on humans and animals. Aflatoxin, ochratoxin, trichothecene, fumonisin, zearalenone, patulin, and citrinin are some of the major mycotoxins affecting food and feed. The scientific community has focused on regulating food and feed materials due to their potential risks. Conventional techniques for mycotoxin detection have certain limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and speed. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to revolutionize mycotoxin detection. This review provides an overview of nanotechnology‐based detection methods for mycotoxins in food and feed, discussing the basic aspects of mycotoxins, their health hazards, and conventional methods. It also explores various nanosensors and nanodevices developed to improve the sensitivity, selectivity, and speed of mycotoxin detection, thereby enhancing food safety and security.

Recycling of Date Palm Seed Substrate: Utilisation as Feed Material for Tenebrio molitor Larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Recycling of Date Palm Seed Substrate: Utilisation as Feed Material for Tenebrio molitor Larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Novel 4D-printing pellets with infrared-light responsive shape memory effect

Four-dimensional (4D)-printing technology is attractive to researchers since it combines 3D printing with smart materials to produce 3D structures with various shapes and change shapes under specific external stimuli. Herein, novel shape memory polymer (SMP) pellets with infrared-light responsive shape memory effect were developed for 4D printing applications. The structures, properties, and infrared-light responsive shape memory performances of the resulting (SMP) pellets were thoroughly investigated. The results showed PDA/SMP pellets prepared by direct loading of polydopamine (PDA) particles on SMP pellets displayed less influence on the basic properties of SMP while fluidity was enhanced. The obtained PDA/SMP pellets employed as feed materials for particle 3D printers revealed good thermal-induced shape memory performance and photo-responsive shape memory performance in printed 3D structures. Under infrared-light irradiation, the curled shape recovered to straight splines within 60 s due to the strong absorption and good photo-thermal conversion of the loaded PDA nanoparticles under infrared light. Overall, the as-prepared PDA/SMP pellets look promising for use in biomedical fields and smart devices, as well as remote control deformation with 4D printing technology.

Small-scale fluidised bed flotation device for ore amenability testing

Fluidised bed flotation, such as with Eriez’s HydroFloat®, has demonstrated the ability to recover coarse particles up to 600 µm in size during sulphide flotation. The ability to perform flotation at coarse particle sizes provides significant benefits to the minerals processing industry, including energy savings in comminution and increased plant throughput.However, the smallest available fluidised bed flotation units require between 15 and 20 kg of sample for a single test and upwards of 100 kg of sample to conduct initial scoping studies for new ore feed material. This high sample requirement often prohibits the execution of small-scale flotation optimisation tests using this technology.The development of a small-scale fluidised bed flotation device is therefore vital to enable rapid and efficient testing for essential operations such as ore amenability and geometallurgical evaluation, circuit modelling and design, and routine metallurgical assessment.This work presents the design and development of a small-scale fluidised bed flotation device that uses 1–2 kg of sample per test. The work further outlines the testing methodology to achieve both reasonable and reproducible flotation results. Both the device and test methodology were demonstrated using two copper ore samples, and the flotation results generated were similar in form to laboratory batch testing using conventional flotation cells.

Centralized Finite State Machine Control to Increase the Production Rate in a Crusher Circuit

Crushing is a critical operation in mineral processing, and its efficient performance is vital for minimizing energy consumption, maximizing productivity, and maintaining product quality. However, due to variations in feed material characteristics and safety constraints, achieving the intended circuit performance can be challenging. In this study, a centralized control strategy based on a finite state machine (FSM) is developed to improve the operations of an iron ore crushing circuit. The aim is to increase productivity by manipulating the closed-side-setting (CSS) of cone crushers and the speed of an apron feeder while considering intermediate storage silo levels and cone crusher power limits, as well as product quality. A dynamic simulation was conducted to compare the proposed control strategy with the usual practice of setting CSS to a constant value. Four scenarios were analyzed based on variations in bond work index (BWI) and particle size distribution. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control strategy increased average productivity by 6.88% and 48.77% when compared to the operation with a constant CSS of 38 mm and 41 mm, respectively. The proposed strategy resulted in smoother oscillation without interlocking, and it maintained constant flow rates. This ultimately improved circuit reliability and predictability, leading to reduced maintenance costs.

Animal dietary exposure in the risk assessment of contaminants in feed.

EFSA performs dietary exposure assessments for food-producing and non-food-producing animals to deliver risk assessment for mandates on the presence of contaminants in feed. The CONTAM and FEEDAP Panels identified the need to update the animal dietary exposure assessment model used in those assessments in CONTAM Scientific Opinions since 2011 in cases where insufficient occurrence data are available on species specific compound feeds. The Panels proposed in this statement a series of model diets based on groups of feed materials with the possibility to use different feed materials in their formulation. The Panels considered that the currently proposed model diets cover the need of the CONTAM Panel to assess the dietary exposure of animals to contaminants in feed.

Determination of nutritional value and methane production potential of styrax tree (Styrax officinalis L.) leaves

This study aimed to determine the effect of nutritional values of the “styrax tree” (Styrax officinalis L.) on in vitro gas production, organic matter digestibility (OMD), and metabolic energy (ME) content. In this study, styrax leaf samples were collected for analysis in three different periods: May, July and September. According to the analysis results, crude ash (CA), dry matter (DM), crude fat (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) values, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased in September compared to May and July. In September, compared to May, CA has increased by 23 %, DM by 64 %, CM by 30.5 %, ADF by 9.8 %, and NDF by 9.8 %. During the vegetation period, there was an increase in dry matter content in parallel with maturation. The dry matter content of Styrax tree leaves (STL) increased in May (30 %), July (40 %) and September (50 %). Crude protein amounts were found 19 % in May, 17 % in July, and 15 % in September. As the STL grows, decreases in CP, which plays a role in plant growth, and increases in the cell membrane were observed. The CF content in STL changed to 3.2 %, 4.4 %, and 4.3 % in May, July, and September, respectively, with the highest value determined in July and very close to the September value. CA content in styrax tree plants varied by 8.58 % in May, in July by 9.86 %, and in September by 10.56 %. As the amount of dry matter increased according to the periods, the amount of CA also increased. NDF and ADF levels increased in parallel with the vegetation period's development in STL. NDF was found to be 37.5 %, 39.0 %, and 41.5 % according to the periods. ADF amount was found 27 % in May, 28.5 % in July, and 30 % in September. Metabolic energy varied between 8.86 and 10.06 (MJ/kg KM) depending on the periods. When organic matter digestion levels were examined, it was seen that the highest OMD was in July with 58.71 %. Gas production was determined by incubations of 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, and the maximum gas measurement value was in September, July, and May, respectively. As a result of the study, STL can be a good alternative feed source for ruminants when adequate amounts of high-quality feed materials cannot be provided.

Evaluation of Crude Enzyme Addition Based Muscovy Duck Feed on Reproduction Perfomance

The purpose of this was to evaluate the reproductive perfomance of muscovy duck by using crude enzymes as additive in basal feed. The research material’s 32 muscovy duck, 4 males, 28 females, aged 5 months and normal body weight of males muscovy duck 3,5 – 4 kg dan females 2 – 2,5 kg. The feed material used was basal feed with the addition crude enzymes in each treatment. The cage equipment used were feed, water cup, hatching machine and scales. The research was conducted for 40 days with experimental methods and Cross Over Design (Switching Design) observation period of four times, seven days with treatment, three days of break and start again next period.  The addition of crude enzymes in muscovy duck feed can improve reproductive perfomance. The results showed that the use of 0.2% crude enzymes (T2) in basal feed can increase the hatching weight of day old duck and dod survival without mortality. The other results, increased hatchability occurred in the basal feed containing 0.1% crude enzymes (T1), compared to the control feed without the addition of crude enzymes. This means that using of 0.2% crude enzymes in feed as an additive increased hatching weight, dod survival and muscovy duck hatchability.

Inspection of Leveling and Verticality of Silo Foundations Due to Settlement Based on SNI 8460: 2017

The foundation is the most essential structural element of a building structure. A solid and stable foundation is a critical factor in ensuring the sustainability and safety of a building. Proper planning and calculations are essential in designing the foundation to withstand the structural loads from the building above it and ensure that the foundation does not experience dangerous settlement or collapse. In this research, the author conducted a study or examination of the condition of Silo Foundation PT XYZ is located in the Tangerang. The number of silo foundations built was 7 units (silo 17, silo 18, silo 19, silo 20, silo 21, silo 22 and silo 23). This silo is a vertical storage structure that functions as a place to store raw materials for animal feed. The condition of the silo foundation structure is known to have decreased after being filled to a maximum capacity of 5000T. To determine the condition of the foundation structure, it is necessary to carry out a measurement survey by checking levelling and verticality using reference standards or rules used by SNI 8640:2017. The results of foundation levelling tests for silo 17, silo 18, silo 19, silo 20, silo 21, silo 22 and silo 23 in Balaraja District, Tangerang Regency, there is the most significant elevation difference occurring at silo 19, namely 127 mm, which is based on SNI Geotechnical 8460-2017 Maximum building settlement is included in High Risk because the settlement is > 75 mm. The elevation differences in the other silos fall into the Small Risk to Medium Risk categories. Meanwhile, based on the results of checking verticality, it was found that the slope value of the structure in Silos 18, 19 and 21 experienced a slope that exceeded the maximum required permit limit of 20mm. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out regular inspections to monitor the movement or decline of the silo foundation so as not to cause risks or conditions of structural failure.

Analisis Deskriptif Pertumbuhan dan Perkembangan Cacing Tanah (Lumbricus rubellus) dengan Variasi Pakan Ampas Tahu dan Kotoran Sapi

Earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) are beneficial invertebrates that reduce waste, animal feed, and cosmetic raw material. The research was conducted at Ruyani Life Sciences Learning Resources (SBIH), Bengkulu (Ruyani et al., 2018), from September to November 2023. The design of this study adopted a Complete Randomized Design (RAL) consisting of five experimental groups with different feed comparisons (in %).Earthworm growth and development are optimized in their natural habitat, which includes temperatures ranging from 15℃ to 25℃, soil moisture and air availability between 15% and 30%, soil pH levels between 6.0 and 7.2, and the presence of organic matter for food. The study fed earthworms a diet consisting of tofu residues and cow dung in different proportions: (a) 100% tofu residues and 0% cow dung; (b) 75% tofu residues and 25% cow dung; (c) 50% tofu residues and 50% cow dung; and (d) 25% tofu residues and 75% cow dung. The research findings indicated that the ideal feed composition for maximizing earthworm biomass production is 25% tofu residues and 75% cow dung. Additionally, the most effective ratio of individual earthworms throughout a four-week maintenance period is 75% tofu residues and 25% cow dung.