Resin coupled with m-aminophenylbornic acid was used to isolate a glycosylated component from homogenate of earthworm (Eisenia fetida). The fraction showed a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight of 34, 193 Da determined by mass spectroscopy. The N-terminal region is AQVCCPDI, different from those of earthworm fibrinolytic enzymes reported previously (Nakajima et al. 1993). This glyco...

Organic wastes are extensively increasing with increased human populations, intensive agriculture and industrialization. The disposal of wastes has become important for a healthy quality of environment. In this regard recycling of utilizable organic wastes is feasible. The recycling of wastes through vermicomposting reduces problems of disposal of organic wastes. Vermicomposting, a novel techni...

To understand the effects of radionuclides on non-human biota and the environment, it is essential to study the intake and metabolism of radio-isotopes in earthworms which are among the most important soil organisms, and Eisenia fetida, which were used in this study, are known to be sufficiently sensitive to chemicals and representative of common earthworms. In this study, we assessed the conce...

The present study was aimed at providing data to be used at predicting exposure-based effects of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) aged in soil on endpoint organisms representing two trophic levels. These data can be used to define criteria or reference values for environmental management and conducting specific risk assessment. Long-term exposure tests were conducted to evaluate sublethal toxicity a...

In soils, organic matter decomposition and stabilization largely occur as a result of microbial activity, although when present, earthworms are important drivers of the processes through their interactions with microflora which begin during organic matter digestion by earthworms. Here, we studied the effects of gut transit on the number of bacteria and the microbial activity in pig slurry, usin...

Earthworms are key components of temperate soil ecosystems but key aspects of their ecology remain unexamined. Here we elucidate the role of olfactory cues in earthworm attraction to food sources and document specific chemical cues that attract Eisenia fetida to the soil fungi Geotrichum candidum. Fungi and other microorganisms are major sources of volatile emissions in soil ecosystems as well ...

Background: The feasibility of converting organic wastes into vermicompost and the effect adding such substrate on growth reproduction earthworm (Eisenia fetida) were investigated in present study through a two-factor factorial experiment with completely randomized design triplicate. Methods: first factor nine different treatment combinations included control; potato (P); carrot pulp (C); veget...

in this study, the earthworms of tehran province were investigated. specimens were collected from wet soil in 48 stations during 2011 and 2012. during the course of the study, eight earthworm species were identified, including: aporrectodea caliginosa (savigny, 1826), ap. rosea (savigny, 1826), dendrobaena veneta (rosa, 1886), dendrodrilus rubidus (savigny, 1826), eisenia fetida (savigny, 1826)...