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Background and Aim: Despite containing nutritive and useful elements, food wastes are disposed because of their biologically contaminative potentiality and aesthetic view. Their disposal imposes cost and needs both space and facilities. Also, there is neither recycling of materials nor energy nor is it at least easy to do so. Therefore, one of the suitable methods for disposal of food wastes is vermicomposting. The product is a useful fertilizer for plants. In addition, there are some by-products in this method, one of which is the worms. By culturing the worms, we can use them in a variety of products especially in the production of food for poultry and fish. Thus, determining the optimal condition for operating vermicompost of food wastes and worms' growth in these wastes is important. The purpose of this research was to determine the optimal temperature and moisture ranges for process progression in vermicompost production of food wastes. Materials and Methods: The preparation of food wastes was performed for 18 days. In this study, we used Eisenia Foetida worm species. The process was performed in pots with 15 cm (h) and 12 cm (d) during one month. Three ranges of temperature including 5-15, 15-25, 25-35 oC, and three ranges of moisture including 55-65%, 65-75%, 75-85% were applied. Results: The results showed an aerobic progressing of process in preparation time, going over 55 oC and reduction in C:N ratio. Multivariate analysis was applied to analyze the results which showed that the influence of temperature and moisture on C:N ratio is significant in vermicomposting process (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that suitable condition for aerobic operation of process in these food wastes can be obtained by mechanical aeration during the preparation time. The temperature range of 15-25 oC and moisture of 65-75% are more appropriate for process operating and worms' growth.

Keywords: Vermicompost, food wastes, Eisenia Foetida, optimal condition

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