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VOL. 9, ISSUE 4 (2024)
Nutritional potentials of garden snail (Limicolaria aurora) and giant African land snail (Achatina fulica) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors
Owoidihe Monday Etukudo, Ekerette Emmamuel Ekerette, Lawrence Enyioha Okonko, Nko Samuel Bassey
Abstract
Due to the rapid increase in the population globally coupled with the daily increase in the demand for protein, it is needful to source for cost-effective and readily available protein sources. The study investigated the proximate, mineral and amino acid compositions of meat powders from two species of snails (Limicolaria aurora and Achatina fulica) that were handpicked around Topfaith University, Mkpatak Campus in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Sixty (60) land snails consisting of thirty (30) each of Garden snails (L. aurora) and giant African land snail (A. fulica) were handpicked around Topfaith University, Mkpatak Campus in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.The samples were removed from their shells, and washed with deionized water and dilute acid. The meats were then dried at 65–70°C for 24 hours, ground into fine powder, and sieved to achieve uniformity in particle size. Proximate, mineral and amino acid analyses were conducted. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in proximate, mineral and amino acid compositions among the meat powders of the studied snail species. Most essential amino acids such as Leucine, histidine, lysine, arginine, threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine and phenylalanine were present. Proximate analysis revealed high energy, protein and carbohydrate but low fat and ash contents in the two species of snails. Mineral analysis indicated high levels of Ca, Na, K, Mg, P, while Fe were significantly low across the two species. The high protein and low-fat contents suggest that snail meat powder could be used as additives for food fortification to meet the demand for protein globally.
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Pages:8-14
How to cite this article:
Owoidihe Monday Etukudo, Ekerette Emmamuel Ekerette, Lawrence Enyioha Okonko, Nko Samuel Bassey "Nutritional potentials of garden snail (<i>Limicolaria aurora</i>) and giant African land snail (<i>Achatina fulica</i>) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria". International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, Vol 9, Issue 4, 2024, Pages 8-14
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