| Abstract: | Casts of the lumbricid earthworm species E. fetida were investigated by means of chemical analyses and 13C NMR spectroscopy and compared to the beech litter used as food. The casts are characterized by slightly reduced C-to-N ratios, higher ash contents and lower polysaccharide and lignin concentrations in comparison with the litter material. These differences between casts and litter are very small, ranging from 1 to 7%, and are not supported by any statistical evidence. In addition, NMR and Py-FIMS data complete the picture of E. fetida casts as almost exclusively physically altered (i.e. comminuted) plant residues. |
