TY - JOUR T1 - Analysis of Frass Excreted by Tenebrio molitor for Use as Fertilizer A1 - Abnezer Nyanzira A1 - Oleen Machona A1 - Marcia Matongorere A1 - Farisai Chidzwondo A1 - Rumbidzai Mangoyi JF - Entomology and Applied Science Letters JO - Entomol Appl Sci Lett SN - 2349-2864 Y1 - 2023 VL - 10 IS - 1 DO - 10.51847/xBw1ooFqXN SP - 29 EP - 37 N2 - Insect production is a rapidly growing industry worldwide, as it offers a promising solution for the effective recycling of organic waste. The most abundant by-product of insect production is insect feces, scientifically known as ‘frass’. Frass is produced in greater volumes than the actual insect products and therefore should be utilized to maintain a circular economy. Therefore, this study focused on analyzing the potential of using frass from the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a fertilizer. Mineral analysis of frass was investigated using spectroscopic methods and the mineral content was 3.3%, 2.8%, and 2.3%, for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively. These values were in agreement with those found in the literature, meaning that the frass can be used as a fertilizer replacement or complement. The fertilizing ability of frass was also investigated and the results showed the best harvest came from the soil treated with the complement (frass and mineral fertilizer), followed by frass with high-quality seeds, then mineral fertilizer which had a relatively good yield, and finally a control that had no treatment of the soil. However, more research needs to be done, especially on the immune-stimulating aspect of frass, to collaborate on the promising results obtained during this study. UR - https://easletters.com/article/analysis-of-frass-excreted-by-tenebrio-molitor-for-use-as-fertilizer-qhajxtixcc8lifd ER -