Tomsk scientists propose using beetle coprolites as vermicompost

TOMSK, April 27 – RIA Tomsk, Elmira Tyatigacheva. Scientists from the Biological Institute of Tomsk State University (BI TSU) found that bronze beetles and rhinoceros beetles produce fertilizers for the soil when processing sawdust; raw materials can be supplied by wood processing enterprises, which makes the production of vermicompost low-cost, Anastasia Simakova, head of the Department of Invertebrate Zoology of Biological Institute of TSU, told RIA Tomsk.

It was previously reported that the institute’s scientists, in the course of researching rhinoceros beetles and bronze beetles, discovered that their nutritional value in many respects is higher than the meat of farm animals. The researchers also developed a technology for growing the bronze beetle for the production of food additives: they increased productivity five times and reduced the maturation time.

“There were two goals: obtaining animal protein enriched with vitamins and microelements into food additives, and processing production waste. As a result, it turned out that when sawdust is processed by beetles, vermicompost is also obtained,” said the agency’s interlocutor.

She added that the value of beetle coprolites was measured according to several criteria, including particle size distribution, content of humic acids, fulvic acids, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. As a result of the processing of sawdust by rhinoceros beetles and bronze beetles, high-quality vermicompost is obtained.

© from the website of Tomsk State University

“Those who need high-quality food supplements enriched with protein, and who have a need to process pulp industry waste – farmers, individual entrepreneurs and others,” Simakova listed those who would be interested in the university’s developments.

According to her, sawdust for processing will be able to be supplied by wood processing enterprises in the Tomsk region, so it will be possible to produce fertilizers at minimal cost.

“Research will continue. We, in fact, have received initial data and are going to continue this scientific work. The further research plan is a secret,” Simakova said.