Today, two serious issues threaten human life, such as water pollution with hydrogen sulfide and the emerging corona disease. The special structure of hemoglobin of worms can remove hydrogen sulfide and carry a large amount of oxygen at the same time, and therefore, it is a suitable candidate for solving these two problems. Accordingly, the hemoglobin of Eisenia foetida worms was extracted by homogenization and several centrifuges and filters, and then the dimensions of hemoglobin were measured by dynamic light scattering technique, and the concentration and number of disulfide bonds in hemoglobin were investigated. The results showed that hemoglobin purity after the third stage of centrifugation and the second filtration was 56.2 and 91.3%, the measured diameter was 155.5 and 596.9 nm, the concentration of hemoglobin was 0.015 mol/liter, and the number of disulfide bonds was 120, respectively. According to the results of the examination, the extracted hemoglobin, having a large number of disulfide bonds, can react with hydrogen sulfide, and having very large dimensions, it is suitable for carrying a lot of oxygen.

The present study was performed to find the suitable conditions for the breeding of Eisenia foetida earthworm. The worms were studied in the storage densities of 50 and 70 grams and in three life stages during 15 weeks. The air temperature and humidity (percentage) were recorded every day. For both storage densities, the worms were selected from the adults with genital belts and mean body weight of 0.51 g; the young worms with no genital belt and mean weight of 0.38, and the infant worms with the mean weight of 0.27 g. After 15 weeks, the worms were picked up from the cultivated area. The final growth rate in the density of 70 grams for adult worms was 51.66; for young worms 7.2 and for infant worms 86.17, but their growth rates for adult worms in the density of 50 grams were 31.4, 10.4 and 10.8 for adult, young and infant worms, respectively. The results of breeding red earthworms (Eisenia foetida) showed that the appropriate storage density for biomass production is the initial density of 70 grams for adult worms. To reach higher mass and better growth, it is better to harvest the worms when ten weeks old.

Purpose The present research was conducted with the objective of exploring the vermicomposting process, which involves different stages such as building of a vermicompost station; import of a compost earthworm (Eisenia foetida); and production of vermicompost using dry grass clippings, rice straw and cow manure. The vermicompost produced can be of significant value to the end users like farmers for replacement of chemical fertilizers and procuring better prices for the organic produce using such composting material locally available at much lower cost. Methods Vermicomposting was done using Eisenia foetida with three treatments [T1 (Rice straw), T2 (Rice straw + grass) and T3 (Grass)]. Temperature, humidity and pH were measured during the process. The population of earthworms, the production of vermicompost, and the chemical and microbial characteristics of the vermicompost were recorded after sixty (60) days and hundred twenty (120) days. The data were analyzed statistically using Sigma Plot 12. 0. Results Results indicated that for all the three treatments the temperature was in the range of 0– 35 ° C, the humidity was between 80 and 100% and the pH fluctuated in the range of 5. 5– 7. 0 and stabilized to near neutral on the 60th day. The combination of rice straw and grass had the highest rate of vermicompost production of 105 kg/m2 followed by grass and rice straw with 102. 5 kg/m2 and 87 kg/m2, respectively, at the end of 120 days. Conclusion The harvested vermicompost had an excellent nutrient status, confirmed by the chemical analyses, and contained all the essential macro-and micronutrients.

Vermicompost is one of the most nutritious organic compost which is produced by some species of earthworms such as (Eisenia foetida) and has several applications in plant cultivation. Increase in flowering and product, decrease in germination time are some examples of its application. Because of enormous amount of protein and vitamin in earthworm, it can be used as a new source of food complementary for fowl and fish. The importance of earthworm in garbage recycling is also taken into consideration. By controlling culture environmental parameters such as pH, moisture and temperature, 300 earthworms were placed in its appropriate media, to produce vermicompost in 75 days. Chemicals analysis between vermicompost produced in this research showed better quality than usual agricultural composts. Because the percentages of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc are higher in the vermicompost. The results showed the abundance of organic materials such as 15 amino acids (Arg, Ser, Met, His, Asp, Leu, Gly, Tyr, Glu, Phe), 2 essential fatty acids, sugars and vitamins (Niacin, Riboflavin, Pentoic acid, Thiamin, Folic acid, Biotin, B12 and B6). Thus, earth worms flour may be used in plant cultivation and also as a new source of food complementary for fowl and fish.

Background: The indispensable use of agrochemicals has created serious threats for earthworms abundance and their population; therefore, several earthworm protocols have gained acceptance for use in tests to assess the effects of soil chemicals on soil organisms. Dichlorovos, an organophosphorus pesticide, is one of the widely used pesticides in agricultural fields of M.P., Central India. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the effects of the dichlorovos on growth, reproduction, and avoidance behavior of an earthworm, Eisenia foetida.Methods: After evaluating LC50, artificial soil substrate was prepared using an evenly blended mixture of 68% mesh silica sand, 20% kaolin clay, and 10% sphagnum peat. Different concentrations after LC50 probit analysis of the pesticides were prepared in 1000ml of distilled water and mixed with 1 kg of the soil to expose the earthworms in a dose-dependent manner.Results: A decrease was observed in the weight of earthworms at all concentrations of the pesticide used, whereas reproduction and avoidance behavior which are sensitive parameters were found to be significantly affected by all three doses of dichlorovos.Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that growth, reproduction, and avoidance behavior can be taken as useful indicators for assessing the sub-lethal effects of pesticides on non-target soil organisms such as earthworms.

Background: Soil serves as the primary repository for microplastics, yet their impact on soil-dwelling organisms remains insufficiently understood. This study aims to investigate the influence of varying concentrations of microplastics in soil on the absorption of Cd and Cu by Eisenia fetida within an artificial soil matrix. Methods: The artificial soil consisted of kaolinite clay (20% dry weight), quartz sand (70% dry weight), and Sphagnum peat (10% dry weight). Microplastics, derived from worn-out tire rubber, were incorporated into the soil to establish four concentration levels: 5, 25, 50, and 100 grams of tire microplastics per 500 grams of dry soil. Each treatment was inoculated with ten mature earthworms, weighing between 3. 0 and 5. 0 grams. After 14 days, samples were collected for ICP analysis. Results: : The highest accumulation of both metals was observed in treatments with 25, 50, and 100 grams of tire microplastics. The results demonstrated significant disparities in copper and cadmium accumulation in the tissue samples following the introduction of tire wear particles, indicating an augmenting effect of tire particles on metal uptake by the samples. Statistically notable reductions (p < 0. 05) in Cd and Cu concentrations were noted in both the control soil and soil containing microplastics, particularly in the 100-gram microplastic treatment for Cd and the 50-gram microplastic treatment for Cu. Conclusion: Exposure to a combination of microplastics, Cd, and Cu has more pronounced adverse effects on E. fetida, and microplastics enhance the bioavailability of heavy metal ions within the soil environment.

The increasing human population on earth has increased household waste and wastewater worldwide. Wastewater due to have H2S is often toxic and has a pungent odor. To solve the problem of household waste, it is better to bury household waste and biogas production for consumption as fuel. Natural gas and biogas have H2S. The main purpose of this research was to use Eisenia foetida worms in the H2S removal from solution for performance in water scrubbing gas, biogas, and wastewater purification. The samples were bought from vermicomposting farms in Mashhad City. The tolerance of the worms to hydrogen sulfide was determined. In two identical cylindrical experimental treatments and control, and H2S solution was poured. Live worms were added to the experimental treatment and the H2S concentration was measured at every 30 minutes intervals. Adsorbed capacity and removal efficiency was calculated.  In the experimental treatment adsorption capacity was 66 (mg/g) and the removal efficiency at the end of the test at 220 minutes reached 100%. The results showed that worms can adsorb and remove significant amounts of H2S.