Chemical composition of African black snails (Archachatina marginata) from three different habitats in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Samples of Archachatina marginata (African black snail) obtained from three different habitats,
 namely: high vegetational (HV) low vegetational (LV) and none vegetational (NV) areas in Akwa Ibom
 State of Nigeria were assayed for proximate composition, macro elemental content and anti-nutrient
 levels.  The results showed significant variation ( =0.5) and indicated that all the samples, without
 regards to the habitat, were nutritive and promising source of protein, potassium, iron and calcium with
 negligible concentration of anti-nutrients. The variation in precentage crude protein is - HV (26.25) >
 LV (22.35) > NV (20.55), for potassium, (i) HV (K= 252.00) > LV (K= 210.50) > NV (K= 115.30)
 mg/100g, and calcium, LV (Ca = 68.30)> HV (Ca = 52.00)> NV (Ca = 48.50) mg/100g. The variation
 in phosphorus content was found to be similar to that of calcium while variation in iron was found to be
 similar to that of potassium. For sodium the variation is as follows between locations: - NV (90.20) >
 HV (83.50) ~ LV (82.30) mg/100g. Results of anti nutrient levels showed that (NV) snails had
 relatively higher levels of total oxalic acid and tannic acid, when compared with the other habitats.
 Hydrocyanic acid, ranged between 30.00mg/100g for NV snails to 36.10mg/100g  for HV snails
 samples. These results are discussed in terms of available nutrients in the habitats and in relative to
 their dietary supplement on daily requirement. Results were compared with some lesser- known
 alternative sources of protein found in literature.