CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MEALWORM (TENEBRIO MOLITOR) FRASS AS AN ALTERNATIVE ORGANIC FERTILIZER SOURCE

Abstract

The growing world population and the increasing demand for food have increased the need for alternative organic fertilizers for sustainable agricultural production. In this study, the fertilizer potential of Tenebrio molitor frass was investigated by a comprehensive physicochemical analysis. Larvae of T. molitor were reared under controlled environmental conditions (temperature: 28 ±5 °C; relative humidity: 60-75%) in a standardized substrate of maize meal (10%), wheat flour (10%) and wheat bran (80%). The frass was collected after a development period of 3-4 weeks. Chemical analyses revealed optimal physicochemical properties, with the frass having an organic matter content of 90.01 and a pH of 6.43. The macro nutrient composition showed a balanced distribution of the essential elements: nitrogen (0.81%), phosphorus (0.79%), and potassium (1.28%). The micro nutrient profile showed adequate concentrations of iron (277.1 mg/kg), manganese (183.5 mg/kg), zinc (94.8 mg/kg), and copper (30.1 mg/kg). The results suggest that T. molitor frass has considerable potential as an alternative fertilizer source for crop production, characterized by high organic matter content and a balanced nutrient composition. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the integration of insect derived fertilizers into sustainable agricultural systems, which offer significant opportunities to promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices. This potential offers important opportunities, especially in the development of sustainable agricultural practices and in the nutrition of ornamental and landscape plants.