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Macromineral Profile of Four Species of Earthworm Hyperiodrilus africanus, Eudrilus eugeniae, Libyodrilus violaceus and Alma millsoni from Nigeria
並列摘要
The macro mineral profile of four Nigerian species of earthworm; Hyperiodrilus africanus, Eudrilus eugeniae, Libyodrilus violaceus and Alma millsoni was conducted. using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Five macro minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus were determined. Comparatively H. africanus recorded the highest mean Ca (0.494±0.038%) while A. millsoni recorded the lowest (0.318±0.034%). Hyperiodrilus africanus also recorded the highest mean Mg (0.154±0.015%) whereas L. violaceus recorded the lowest (0.118±0.017%). Alma millsoni recorded the highest mean K (0.045±0.003%) whereas H. africanus recorded the lowest (0.027±0.002%). The highest mean Na (74.209±13.699 ppm) was recorded by A. millsoni while the lowest (19.813±2.087 ppm) was recorded by H. africanus. Also A. millsoni recorded the highest mean P (0.701±0.022%) while H. africanus recorded the lowest (0.456±0.034%). A significant difference was observed in the mean % Ca, % M g, % K, ppmNa and % P between the four species of earthworms (p＜0.01). The study revealed that these five macro minerals which are requirements of animals were well represented and adequate in the earthworms. Therefore, the use of meal prepared from these species as mineral supplement in fish diets could be encouraged.