Nutritional Value and Health Status of Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina Marginata) from Three Different Sale Points

Abstract

ABSTRACT Snails contribute to the good health status of man as they are very rich in protein and minerals. The impact of sale points on the nutritive value and health status of giant African land snail, Archachatina marginata were investigated in this study. Snails purchased from market, farm (snailery) and roadside were analyzed by standard methods for proximate (crude protein, carbohydrate, ash, fibre and fat), mineral (Na+, K+, Fe2+,Ca2+ and Cl-) and antinutrient composition (tannin, saponin, alkaloids, oxalate and phytate). The total microbial load and microorganisms on the snails flesh were isolated and identified by conventional microbiological protocols. Snails sold at the farm had significantly (p<0.05) higher protein content than snails from other sale points. There was no significant difference in the fat, ash, carbohydrate and mineral composition of snails from the three sale points. However, snails purchased from the roadside recorded the highest anti nutrients content, while snails from the farm had the least. The total microbial load on flesh of snails sold at the market was significantly lower (p>0.05) than other sites. Many bacteria and moulds were isolated from the flesh of the snails from the three locations. It can be concluded that sale points significantly influenced snails’ nutritive and health status. Keywords: Archachatina marginata, nutrients, snail market, snailery, roadside