Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Frass as an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 4, 2285 - 2296, 31.12.2025

Mehmet Çolak , Emine Açıl

https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1728760

https://izlik.org/JA39KZ54DN

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.

Keywords

Mealworm , Tenebrio molitor , Soil fertility , Insect frass , Organic fertilizer , Sustainable agriculture

Ethical Statement

This research was not subject to ethics committee approval as it constituted an insect rearing and fertilizer analysis study.

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Karabük University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (project number: KBÜBAP-23-DS-013).

Project Number

KBÜBAP-23-DS-013

Thanks

The authors acknowledge the officials and laboratory personnel of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ankara Soil, Fertilizer and Water Resources Central Research Institute Directorate for their technical support in conducting chemical analyses.

References

• R. Sharma, S. C. Shah, K. R. Adhıkarı, P. Shah, and J. Shrestha, “Effect of cattle urine and FYM on yield of Broccoli and Soil properties,” Journal of AgriSearch, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 157–160, 2016. doi: 10.21921/jas.v3i3.11376
• A. Atilgan, A. Coskan, B. Saltuk, and M. Erkan, “The level of chemical and organic fertilizer usage and potential environmental impacts in greenhouses in Antalya region,” Ekoloji, vol. 16, pp. 37–47, 2007.
• N. Sharma and R. Singhvi, “Effects of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides on Human Health and Environment: A Review,” International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology, vol. 10, pp. 675–679, 2017. doi: 10.5958/2230-732X.2017.00083.3
• S. M. Raheem, H. I. Rasul, and R. Harun, “Farmer’s Behavior and Attitude in Using Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticide in Rural Areas,” Journal of Plant Production, vol. 11, no. 11, pp. 1077–1081, 2020. doi: 10.21608/jpp.2020.130915
• S. Cıtak, S. Sönmez, F. Koçak, and S. Yaşin, “Vermikompost ve Ahır Gübresi Uygulamalarının Ispanak (Spinacia oleracea var. L.) Bitkisinin Gelişimi ve Toprak Verimliliği Üzerine Etkileri,” Derim, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 56–69, 2011.
• M. Yuvaraj, P. P. Mahendran, and E. T. Hussien, “Role of organic farming in agriculture,” in Organic Agriculture, Intech, 2020, p. 168. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.93431
• T. Fuertes-Mendizábal, I. Salcedo, X. Huérfano, P. Riga, J. M. Estavillo, D. Ávila Blanco, and M. K. Duñabeitia, “Mealworm Frass as a Potential Organic Fertilizer in Synergy with PGP-Based Biostimulant for Lettuce Plants,” Agronomy, vol. 13, no. 5, p. 1258, 2023. doi: 10.3390/agronomy13051258
• J. I. Blakstad, R. Strimbeck, J. Poveda, A. M. Bones, and R. Kissen, “Frass from yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as plant fertilizer and defense priming agent,” Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, vol. 53, p. 102862, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.bcab.2023.102862
• J. Poveda, A. Jiménez-Gómez, Z. Saati-Santamaría, R. Usategui-Martín, R. Rivas, and P. García-Fraile, “Mealworm frass as a potential biofertilizer and abiotic stress tolerance-inductor in plants,” Applied Soil Ecology, vol. 142, pp. 110–122, 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2019.04.016
• D. Houben, G. Daoulas, M. P. Faucon, and A. M. Dulaurent, “Potential use of mealworm frass as a fertilizer: Impact on crop growth and soil properties,” Scientific Reports, vol. 10, p. 4659, 2020. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61765-x
• D. Beesigamukama, B. Mochoge, N. K. Korir, K. K. Fiaboe, D. Nakimbugwe, F. M. Khamis, and C. M. Tanga, “Exploring black soldier fly frass as novel fertilizer for improved growth, yield, and nitrogen use efficiency of maize under field conditions,” Frontiers in Plant Science, vol. 11, pp. 574–592, 2020. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.574592
• R. S. Quilliam, C. Nuku-Adeku, P. Maquart, D. Little, R. Newton, and F. Murray, “Integrating insect frass biofertilisers into sustainable peri-urban agro-food systems,” Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 315–322, 2020. doi: 10.3920/JIFF2019.0049
• A. O. Anyega, N. K. Korir, D. Beesigamukama, G. J. Changeh, K. Nkoba, S. Subramanian, J. J. A. van Loon, M. Dicke, and C. M. Tanga, “Black soldier fly-composted organic fertilizer enhances growth, yield, and nutrient quality of three key vegetable crops in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Frontiers in Plant Science, vol. 12, pp. 1–14, 2021. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.680312
• E. Siemianowska, A. Kosewska, M. Aljewicz, K. A. Skibniewska, L. Polak-Juszczak, and A. Jarocki, “Larvae of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) as european novel food,” Agricultural Sciences, vol. 4, pp. 287–291, 2013. doi: 10.4236/as.2013.46041
• J. B. Park, W. H. Choi, S. H. Kim, H. J. Jin, Y. S. Han, and Y. S. Lee, “Developmental characteristics of Tenebrio molitor larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in different instars,” International Journal of Industrial Entomology, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 5–9, 2014. doi: 10.7852/ijie.2014.28.1.5
• A. E. Ghaly and F. Alkoaik, “The yellow mealworm as a novel source of protein,” American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 319–331, 2009. doi: 10.3844/ajabssp.2009.319.331
• L. Syahrulawal, M. O. Torske, R. Sapkota, M. Johansen, A. Høst, D. V. Krogfelt, and J. Eilenberg, “Improving the nutritional values of yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae as an animal feed ingredient: a review,” Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, vol. 14, p. 146, 2023. doi: 10.1186/s40104-023-00945-x
• G. Fondevila, A. Remiro, and M. Fondevila, “Growth performance and chemical composition of Tenebrio molitor larvae grown on substrates with different starch to fibre ratios,” Italian Journal of Animal Science, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 887–894, 2024. doi: 10.1080/1828051X.2024.2362765
• Research and Markets, “Mealworms Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2022–2030,” Research and Markets, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5585361/mealworms-market-by-product-type-whole#product--toc
• D. G. Oonincx, S. Van Broekhoven, A. Van Huis, and J. J. Van Loon, “Feed conversion, survival and development, and composition of four insect species on diets composed of food by-products,” PLoS ONE, vol. 10, no. 12, p. e0144601, 2015. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144601
• V. Varelas, “Food wastes as a potential new source for edible insect mass production for food and feed: A review,” Fermentation, vol. 5, no. 3, p. 81, 2019. doi: 10.3390/fermentation5030081
• A. Adámková, J. Mlček, M. Adámek, M. Borkovcová, M. Bednářová, V. Hlobilová, J. Knížková, L. Dokoupil, and T. Juríková, “Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)—Optimization of rearing conditions to obtain desired nutritional values,” Journal of Insect Science, vol. 20, no. 5, p. 24, 2020. doi: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa100
• N. Ribeiro, M. Abelho, and R. Costa, “A review of the scientific literature for optimal conditions for mass rearing Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae),” Journal of Entomological Science, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 434–454, 2018.
• D. Deruytter, C. L. Coudron, and J. Claeys, “The Effects of Density on the Growth and Temperature Production of Tenebrio molitor Larvae,” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 10, p. 6234, 2022. doi: 10.3390/su14106234
• M. P. Bernal, J. A. Alburquerque, and R. Moral, “Composting of animal manures and chemical criteria for compost maturity assessment. A review,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 100, no. 22, pp. 5444–5453, 2009.
• P. Marschner, Ed., Marschner’s Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, 3rd ed. London, UK: Academic Press, 2012. doi: 10.1016/C2009-0-63043-9
• C. Kutuk, S. Taban, B. Kacar, and H. Samet, “Etkinlikleri Yönünden Çay Atığı ile Ahır Gübresi ve Değişik Kimyasal Gübrelerin Karşılaştırılması,” Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 51–57, 1996.
• E. Yılmaz and Z. Alagoz, “Organik Materyal Uygulamasının Toprağın Agregat Oluşum ve Stabilitesi Üzerine Etkileri,” Akdeniz Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 131–138, 2005.
• E. I. Demirtas, N. Arı, A. Arpacıoğlu, and H. Kaya, “Değişik Organik Kökenli Gübrelerin Kimyasal Özellikleri,” Derim, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 47–52, 2005.
• A. Karkanis, A. C. Asprogeraka, E. Paouris, T. Ntanasi, I. Karavidas, C. I. Rumbos, C. G. Athanassiou, and G. Ntatsi, “Yellow mealworm frass: A promising organic fertilizer for common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.) and bristly oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides (L.) Holub) cultivation,” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 15, p. e35508, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35508
• T. Ozbucak and M. Ocak, “Farklı Organik Gübre Kaynaklarının Fesleğen (Ocium basilicum L.) Bitkisinin Verimine Etkisi,” Akademik Ziraat Dergisi, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 41–52, 2023. doi: 10.29278/azd.1270352
• A. Nogalska, S. W. Przemieniecki, S. J. Krzebietke, D. Załuski, A. Kosewska, M. Skwierawska, and S. Sienkiewicz, “The Effect of Mealworm Frass on the Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Horticultural Peat in an Incubation Experiment,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 20, no. 1, p. 21, 2023. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010021
• A. Nyanzira, O. Machona, M. Matongorere, F. Chidzwondo, and R. Mangoyi, “Analysis of Frass Excreted by Tenebrio molitor for Use as Fertilizer,” Entomology and Applied Science Letters, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 29–37, 2023. doi: 10.51847/xBw1ooFqXN
• S. Van Broekhoven, D. G. Oonincx, A. Van Huis, and J. J. Van Loon, “Growth performance and feed conversion efficiency of three edible mealworm species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on diets composed of organic by-products,” Journal of Insect Physiology, vol. 73, pp. 1–10, 2015.
• M. Vrontaki, C. Adamaki-Sotiraki, C. I. Rumbos, A. Anastasiadis, and C. G. Athanassiou, “Valorization of local agricultural by-products as nutritional substrates for Tenebrio molitor larvae: A sustainable approach to alternative protein production,” Environmental Science and Pollution Research, vol. 31, no. 24, pp. 35760–35768, 2024.
• L. He, Y. Zhang, M. Q. Ding, M. X. Li, J. Ding, S. W. Bai, L. Liu, J. J. Zhang, Y. Wang, Y. Y. Liu, X. Q. Liu, Y. H. Li, and S. S. Yang, “Sustainable strategy for lignocellulosic crop wastes reduction by Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus (mealworm) and potential use of mealworm frass as a fertilizer,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 325, p. 129301, 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129301