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

Mehmet Çolak; Emine Açıl

doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1728760

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.

Keywords

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

Ethical Statement

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

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.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Zoology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mehmet Çolak ^*
0000-0001-6879-6701
Türkiye

Emine Açıl
0000-0001-5629-7948
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

June 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 14, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 4

DOI

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

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA39KZ54DN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Çolak, M., & Açıl, E. (2025). Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Frass as an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, 14(4), 2285-2296. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1728760

AMA

1.Çolak M, Açıl E. Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Frass as an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025;14(4):2285-2296. doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1728760

Chicago

Çolak, Mehmet, and Emine Açıl. 2025. “Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) Frass As an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 14 (4): 2285-96. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1728760.

EndNote

Çolak M, Açıl E (December 1, 2025) Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Frass as an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 14 4 2285–2296.

IEEE

[1]M. Çolak and E. Açıl, “Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Frass as an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source”, Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 2285–2296, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.17798/bitlisfen.1728760.

ISNAD

Çolak, Mehmet - Açıl, Emine. “Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) Frass As an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 14/4 (December 1, 2025): 2285-2296. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1728760.

JAMA

1.Çolak M, Açıl E. Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Frass as an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025;14:2285–2296.

MLA

Çolak, Mehmet, and Emine Açıl. “Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) Frass As an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 2285-96, doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1728760.

Vancouver

1.Mehmet Çolak, Emine Açıl. Chemical Properties of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Frass as an Alternative Organic Fertilizer Source. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025 Dec. 1;14(4):2285-96. doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1728760