ICAPS 2024
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/28744
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Item Enrichment of Panagrellus redivivus (microworm), culture media with waste materials to increase the yield(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Ama, W. D. I.; Epa, U. P. K.The production of low-cost, nutrient-rich live feed is essential for sustained aquaculture. As a result, the aquaculture industry uses "microworms," which are tiny nematode worms. The selection of culture medium has a significant impact on nematode yield. By adding waste products to the culture medium, such as fish meal, sugar molasses, and potato peels, this study aims to maximize production and reduce the production cost of Panagrellus redivivus microworms. Further, moisture levels in the culture media that maximize microworm yield and Panagrellus redivivus microworm survival in water were studied. As the control medium, bread, milk powder, and water culture mixture, which Sri Lankan aquaculture farmers commonly use in culturing microworms, was utilized. In the experimental units, increasing amounts of waste materials, potato peels, fish meal, and sugar molasses were incorporated into the control culture medium by replacing its constituents, with 33.33% to 50% potato peels, 5% to 15% fish meal, and 2% sugar molasses. The impact of varying moisture content on microworm yield was investigated by adjusting water volume in successive batches of culture media. Each medium was divided into three replicates, and 2×105 numbers of P. redivivus were inoculated into each. After five days, microworm yield was determined by counting in a Sedgwick Rafter cell under a light microscope. Microworm survival in water was assessed by inoculating eight sets of three plastic containers with live microworms to take, their initial and subsequent daily counts over seven days using a Sedgwick Rafter cell under a light microscope. According to the results, waste potato peels enhanced the microworm yield compared to the control culture medium, possibly due to the presence of readily utilized carbohydrate sources for microworms (p < 0.05). However, fish meals and sugar molasses do not have beneficial effects because the protein and carbohydrate sources in these ingredients may not be easily utilized by microworms, even though ingredients are rich in protein and carbohydrates. Furthermore, to maximize the microworm yield, 45 ml of water needed to be added for every 50 g of culture media. It was observed that, after 5 days in water, harvested microworms exhibited over 50% survival rate, affirming their suitability as a live food. These results highlighted the possibility of using waste materials and microbes to increase P. redivivus production.