Effects of Microwave Vacuum Pressure on Drying Curve and Bioactive Compounds of African Night Crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg)

African Night Crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg) was dried by applying constant power (204 W) at different vacuum levels (17, 34, 51 kPa). The drying kinetics, proximate composition, and anticoagulant were determined. Experimental moisture loss data versus drying time were fitted to nine thin-layer models. The Midilli model is the most suitable in describing drying kinetics for all drying conditions. The 17 kPa vacuum exhibited shorter drying time, higher drying rates and lower power consumption. Proximate analysis showed that dried earthworms have high protein content ranging from 61 to 65 percent of its total dry weight. Proximate composition of dried Eudrilus eugeniae is relatively similar to other earthworm species like Eisenia fetida. Microwave-vacuum dried earthworm displayed stronger anticoagulant activity though weaker than the fresh sample. This study suggests that microwave-vacuum dried earthworm has anticoagulant property but not as potent as fresh sample due to the effects of temperature and pressure.