Worms enriched with spirulina and being a source of animal protein will be an alternative to fish meal.

The university-industry project titled ‘Monoculture of worms to be used as feed raw material in aquaculture (Vermiculture) and the use of alternative organic raw material rich in nutrients in worm fertilizer production (spirulina spp.)’ prepared in collaboration between Ege University Faculty of Aquaculture and Zootoprak company has been found eligible for support by Ege Technopark. As a result of the project led by Prof. Dr. Seray Yıldız, a faculty member at Ege University Faculty of Aquaculture, important animal protein source, worm enriched with algae will be obtained through vermiculture application. Ege University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Budak congratulated and wished success to Prof. Dr. Seray Yıldız and her team for implementing the project that will contribute economically to the aquaculture sector. Prof. Dr. Seray Yıldız, discussing the concrete outputs targeted by the project, stated that the project will ensure the local production of feed raw materials imported for Aquatic Products. For the first time in Turkey, worm biomass (monoculture) cultivation will be carried out. Due to the algae enrichment of this culture, the quality of the feed will be improved, shortening the production process steps. The product obtained from this production will be used as enriched organic fertilizer in garden plants and for the first time as direct fish feed in aquaculture (aquarium fish, marine-inland fish) studies and as a raw material in feed rations in fish farming. Export will be made. With algae-enriched, local and intensive worm production, feed raw material will be produced in the country and a significant input source will be provided.
Prof. Dr. Seray Yıldız, providing information about the ongoing study, stated that commercial vermiculture activities are concentrated in two areas as ‘Organic Fertilizer Production and Worm Biomass Production’. In line with the objectives of the project we will implement, the commercialization potential of the project output is high. The importance of these applications has been understood and implemented in the world and in Turkey as mentioned in all the details and targeted gains and results of the project. With the feeding aspect enriched with algae added to our project, the commercial aspect of the business has gained even more meaning. There is no enterprise in our country producing fertilizers with algae-based feeding. Algae-based fertilizers in Turkey are mostly imported from abroad. In this project, the use of natural algae (Cyanobacteria) as a sustainable organic source in fertilizer and worm biomass production is intended. Thus, dependence on imports will be eliminated by utilizing local resources. Therefore, the commercialization potential of the project output is expected to be quite high.
Prof. Dr. Seray Yıldız, emphasizing that feed constitutes the largest input in aquaculture, especially in cultivation studies of aquaculture products, stated that some of the feed raw materials are imported from abroad, which is a significant expense item. Again, with local and intensive worm production, feed raw material will be produced in the country and a major source of input will be provided. In aquaculture in Turkey, which is indexed to carnivorous fish farming requiring high animal protein, the application of additional feed additives to fish meal can contribute to sustainable aquaculture production increase. Worm meal has been proven in many studies to contain important potential due to its nutritional value and other pharmacological properties. By evaluating the data obtained from pilot-scale trial studies, the most efficient and economical method for the production of algae-enriched fed worms will be determined. At the same time, the most suitable production conditions will be established in the targeted region.