Fertilizers containing chitin?

Chitin is a natural component of our fertilizer pellets, originating from the exoskeleton of mealworms.

As mealworms grow, they shed their skin multiple times — similar to how a snake molts. These shed exoskeletons contain chitin, which remains present in the manure and ultimately in the fertilizer pellets.

Chitin plays an active role in the soil ecosystem.

Scientific research shows that chitin has measurable effects in soil systems. When chitin is introduced into the soil:

• it stimulates the growth of specific beneficial microorganisms, particularly chitin-degrading bacteria and fungi
• these microorganisms can suppress soil-borne plant pathogens through competition and antagonistic activity
• chitin and its breakdown products can activate plant defence responses, contributing to increased plant resilience against diseases

For this reason, chitin-containing organic fertilizers behave differently from conventional organic fertilizers: they influence not only nutrient availability, but also the biological balance in the soil and natural plant resistance mechanisms.