PROXIMATE AND CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF ARCHACHATINA MARGINATA AND ACHATINA FULICA (SlJLVATICA)

Abstract

Samples of Archachatina marginata, the giant snail, known locally as "Igbin nla" and Achatinafulica (sulvatica), the garden snail, known locally as "Igbin orisa" were purchased from the Ondo town central market. Their meat were dried and used for this work. The chemical analyses covered proximate, trace metals, phosphorus and sulphur content determinations. The data obtained showed that Archachatina margiuata contains higher values of moisture, 68.97±O.58%; ash, 4.50..tO.J6%: crude protein, 57.69±2.26%; crude fibre, O.09±O.O \%: as against the values lor Achatina fulica (sulvatica) moisture, 6) .84±0.09%; ash, 2.2±0.\ 0%; crude protein, 36.02±2.9\ %; crude fibre, 0.04±0.0 \%. However, Achatina fulica (sulvatica) has higher crude fat content, 4.09±0.18% as against 3.27±0.58~/o for Archachatina marginata. , The trace metal composition of A. margiuata is higher than that of A. fulica The values obtained for A. ntargiuata are Ba, 0.74:1:0.036mg./kg., Ca. 853. )±0.638mglkg, Mn, 2J.65±0.691mg/kg, Na, 586.6±0.73 lmg/kg, ZIl, 53.44±1.094mg/kg, Mg, 143.22±1.748rnglkg, Fe, 481.81±0.24Img/kg) while for A. fulica are Sa, 0.37±0.0 17mg/kg, Ca, 697.5± 1.081 mg/kg, Mn, 17.60±0.446mg/kg, Na, :rn.S-!:-O.969Illg/kg, Zn, 36.S1 ±O, ISOlllg/kg, Mg, J 5 .44:.!:O.974111g/kg, Fe, 290.42±O.838mglkg. Metals like cadmium, nickel, selenium, lead and mercury were not detected , . in the two snail species. x The results also showed that A. marginata has higher phosphorus content, - 6038.83±47.67mg/kg, but lower sulphur content, 448.9±8.38mg/kg, than A. fulica, phosphorus, 4334. I±30.46rnglkg and sulphur, 684.44±5.09mglkg. Analysis of variance using Duncan multiple range test showed that there were significant differences between the two snail species in parameters such as ash, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, sulphur and phosphorus. ,.