Laboratory Preparation of <i>Eisenia</i><i> </i><i>Fetida</i>-Based Peptone as a Nutrient Source for Vaccine Manufacture

The most basic application of protein hydrolysis is to provide nitrogen for bacterial culture media. Given that approximately 200 million doses of Clostridium bacterium vaccines are consumed annually in Iran, and 16 tons of hydrolyzed protein [peptone] are required to produce these doses of vaccines. Currently, this need is met through imports, so it is essential to obtain the technical knowledge to produce peptone from various inexpensive sources in the country. Considering the development of vermicompost worm breeding farms, their cheapness, availability, and high protein content, protein hydrolysis of this animal was performed. Worm samples were purchased from farms around Mashhad. To empty the digestive system of the worms, they were placed in a container with clean water and sand for 20 hours. Then, homogenizing them in water for 30 minutes provided a homogeneous and uniform suspension. Following this, fat was removed from the protein tissue with chloroform for two 30-minute periods at 25°C and 60°C. Protein hydrolysis was performed using the vapor phase of six-normal hydrochloric acid at 110°C for 20 hours. Complete drying of the sample was performed for 3 hours under vacuum conditions with a single pressure at 70°C. In this study, three grams of peptone were produced from an initial amount of 10 grams of vermicompost worms. This amount of hydrolyzed protein produced was equal to 30% of the initial weight of the worms.