Comparative Proximate and Selected Mineral Analysis of Two Edible Land Snail Species (Archachatina Marginata and Archatina Fulica)
Abstract
Comparative proximate and selected mineral analysis of two edible land snails (Archachatina Marginata, Achatina fulica were carried out using standard methods. Proximate analysis of the snail meat revealed that that moisture was slightly higher in A. marginata (58.90+0.01a) and least in A. fulica (58.58+0.01a) which was not significantly different from each other. The fat content of A. marginata (8.72+0.01a) was slightly low and slight high in A. fulica (8.920.01a) which is also not significant. The value for the ash was not significantly different in A. marginata (2.31+0.01a) when compared to A. fulica (2.71+0.01a) which was least. The protein content of A. marginata (26.62+0.02a) was lower compared to A. fulica (27.40+0.02a) which is also not significant. While, the carbohydrate content of A. marginata (3.45+0.01a) was higher compared to A. fulica (3.250.01a) meat which is also not significant. The result of the mineral analysis showed that A. marginata recorded highest value (mg/100 g)in Ca (1.77±0.07), Se (2.26± 0.14), Pb (2.73±2.81) and Zn (22.85± 0.15). While A. fulica the least values of 1.6±0.02, 1.86±0.08, 0.72±0.03 and 22.08±0.25 respectively. The values across species for all the minerals analyzed were not significantly different (p<0.05) from one another. The result indicates that the two edible land snail species (A. marginata and A. fulica) are nutritionally rich in protein and mineral nutrients which can be obtained at minimal cost. Hence, consumption for both the young and old should be encouraged as an alternative source of essential nutrients.
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Introduction
Snails are members of mullusca phylum, like slugs, oysters, squids and cuttle-fish; they live widely spread across fresh water, seas and land. Land based species prefer moist areas. They can be seen commonly through spring and autumn where rainfall is abundant (Robert, 2009).
African giant land snails (Achatina fulica) and edible garden snails (Helix aspersa) are among the various species of snails in the Southern and other parts of Guinea savannah in Nigeria where the atmospheric weather conditions and vegetation are favorable for their survival (odaibo, 1997). These creatures enjoy moist environment and are found easily at night. Snails generally exhibit sluggish movement over short distances which are dependent upon the temperature, food and nature of the soil (Ebenso, 2002; Ebenso and Okafor, 2002; Ebenso, 2003B). During their movement these invertebrates produce unpleasant odor via deposition of their saliva and feaces on the plants which distastes man and even herbivores from feeding on these contaminated plants (Ahmed and Nabil, 2012). Snail meat has been reported to be highly nutritious because it is rich in the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals but low in fats and cholesterol. It is also reported that the land snail meat is very rich in protein which could be as high as 14.52% (Yusuf and Oseni, 2004). Other values like 12.87% and 12.2 g/100g of protein have been reported for the garden and apple snails respectively. However, the nutritional composition of snail might vary depending on its feeding habits, species and sexual conditions.
There are different breed of edible land nails found in Nigeria. The two giant land snails common to Nigeria are Archachatina marginata and Archachatina archachatina. Archachatina marginata has definite shell coloration and it is wider at the posterior end compared to others. The foot is usually dark brown in colour. It is the most common breed found in western Nigeria. A. achatina has a brown shell with conspicuous zigzag streaks and a narrow apex. The foot is grey in colour. A. fulica is of small size and the fleshy part could be whitish odark brown. It as low economic value compared to the two giant land snails. It is also known as garden snails. The mineral composition of snail meat varies also depending on their diet, species and environment where they are found. However, therefore, this study focused on the comparative proximate composition and selected mineral analyses of Archatina fulica and Achatina marginata.
