Proximate and chemical composition of three species of snails in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This trial was conducted to determine the proximate and chemical composition of three common species of snails in Nigeria. The species were Archachatina marginata (T₁), Achatina achatina (T₂), and Achatina fulica (T₃). The three species constituted the three treatments and thirty-six adult snails were used for this trial (twelve snails in each treatment). They were randomly allotted to individual treatment and placed on a ration with 24% crude protein and 2600 kcal/kg M. E. for four weeks, for physiological stability and to minimize source effect. The outcome of the proximate and chemical analysis revealed no significant variation (p>0.05) in the proximate and chemical analysis parameters in the three species of snails (p>0.05), such as Dry matter, Crude protein, Crude fibre, Ether extract, Ash and Nitrogen free extract. Likewise mineral salts like Calcium, Iron and Phosphorus. The Sodium content of the foot and shell were significantly different from each other (p<0.05), with T₂ having the lowest Sodium content. The result of the trial revealed low fat, crude fibre and sodium in the three snails, while their levels of protein compared with other conventional sources.

Keywords: three snail species, proximate and chemical analyses

Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol 3(1) 2005: 129-132