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Article Title:
PROXIMATE AND METAL COMPOSITION OF ARCHATINA ARCHATINA, ARCHATINA MARGINATA AND ARCHATINA FULICA SPECIES IN ISOKO, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
| Abstract: The proximate and metal composition of Archatina archatina, Archatina marginata and Archatina fulica species in Owhelogbo, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria were investigated. Moisture content was determined by drying to constant weight before subjecting for ashing. Oil content by Soxhlet extraction, protein by kjeldahl method and crude fibre by the acid and alkaline digestive methods. The total carbohydrate content was estimated by difference obtained after subtracting protein, fat, moisture, crude fibre and ash percentage from one hundred. Minerals content was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The result for the proximate analysis in duplicate reveals that the moisture content range from 74.23% to 75.36%, crude protein range from 21.17% to 22.42%, fat ranges from 1.27% to 1.56% and carbohydrate ranges from 0.43% to 0.66%. crude fibre was not detected in any the species. Zinc, iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium and sodium were detected in the flesh of the snail. Lead, zinc, copper, nickel and chromium were below the WHO and the International / National Standard for heavy metal in food except for Cd which is above permissible limit. The importance of minerals in our diet cannot be over emphasized given their roles in metabolic reactions, rigid bone formation and osmoregulation among others. This study owes its significance to the fact that snails are highly tolerant to many pollutants and exhibit high accumulation to them especially heavy metal. Thus, it is not only safe to consume snails purchased from Owhelogbo community, it is also safe to consume farm product cultivated within her immediate environment. |
| Keywords: snails, species, nutrition, proximate, minerals, heavy metals, owhelogbo, isoko north |
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