Abstract ]]>
The shells of molluscs protect them from physical damage, predators and dehydration. We studied various local uses of shells and their biochemical properties in Abeokuta, Nigeria. A standard structured questionnaire about use was applied to 100 snail and herb sellers and shells from 120 adult individuals of Archachatina marginata, Achatina achatina, Achatina fulica, Littorina littorea, Meretrix lusoria and Merceneria ]]>
were evaluated for their mineral components (Ca2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Na+, Zn+, P+, K+) and proximate composition (crude protein, ash, fibre, crude fat and carbohydrate) using standard methods. Properties against fungi and bacteria isolates were also tested. These shells are used for bleaching, brushing, abrasion and others. The weight of the shells varied from 0.5g (L. littorea) to 25.00g (
A. marginata) and thickness from 0.46mm in M .lusoria to 5.35mm in M. mercenaria. We found no inhibitory effect against fungi and bacterial isolates. The molluscs are high in carbohydrates (83.54-92.76g/100g) and low in protein (0.16-0.38g/100g). The fat content ranged between 0.42g/100g and 0.82g/100g, and ash between 2.14g/100g and 9.45g/100g. Ca2+ was the most abundant (10.25-96.35mg/g) while K+ was the least abundant (0.3-0.7mg/g) (p<0.05). Active ingredients of these shells can be used in the feed and construction industries.
Key words: shell, mollusc, ]]>
Resumen
Las conchas protegen a los moluscos del daño ]]>
Archachatina marginata, Achatina ]]>
, Achatina fulica, Littorina littorea, Meretrix lusoria
y Merceneria mercenaria fueron evaluados para la extracción de los compuestos minerales (Ca2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Na+, Zn+, P+
, K+) y la composición proximal (proteína cruda, materia seca, fibra, contenido graso y carbohidratos) usando métodos estándar. También se analizaron las propiedades de aislamientos contra hongos y bacterias. Las conchas se utilizan para el blanqueamiento, cepillado, abrasión y otros. El peso de las conchas varió de 0.5g (L. ]]>
) a 25.00g (A. marginata) y el espesor de 0.46mm en M. lusoria a 5.35mm en M. mercenaria. No se encontraron efectos inhibidores de los aislamientos contra hongos y bacterias. Los moluscos ]]>
2+ fue el más abundante (10.25-96.35mg/g), mientras que K+
el menos abundante (0.3-0.7mg/g) (p<0.05). Los ingredientes activos de estas conchas se pueden utilizar en la industria alimentaria y de la construcción.
Palabras clave: concha, molusco, análisis proximal, antimicrobiano, antifúngico, usos. ]]>
The shell is made up of calcium carbonate and it encloses supports and protects the soft part of animals in the Phylum Mollusca. Its members include: snails, periwinkles and clam. Man consumes animal products especially milk, egg, meat and fish. These products are treasured in the diet because of their flavor, texture and nutrients. However, shells are disposed as wastes where they constitute environmental nuisance due to unpleasant ]]>
Research studies confirm that land snail parts (flesh and haemolymph) are useful in the treatment of diseases like anemia, hypertension, labor pain and constipation (Akinnusi, 2004; Adikwu, 2012). Similarly, periwinkle shells serve as a coarse aggregate of concrete in areas where there are neither stones nor granite for paving of water logged areas (Falade, 1995). Clam ]]>
Most of the ]]>
Materials and Methods ]]>
Experimental site: The study was conducted at the Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Nigeria (7°10’00” N - 3°02’00” E). The ambient temperature was 27.0±0.05°C and relative humidity was 65.70% (12D:12L).
Experimental samples: Six members ]]>
Archachatina marginata, Achatina achatina, and Achatina fulica
), periwinkle (Littorina littorea) which were purchased from Itoku market, Abeokuta, Nigeria and the two species of clam (Meretrix lusoria and Mercenaria ]]>
) were obtained from Lagos lagoon, Lagos state (6°40’94” N - 4°09’15” E). Twenty individuals of each species were de-shelled and the shell weighed by sensitive electronic balance (Mettler-PM 11K), and the shell thickness was measured using a micrometer screw gauge.
Questionnaire administration: A standard structured questionnaire (containing 25 questions) was ]]>
Chemical analysis: The proximate analysis of the mollusc shells was carried out by A.O.A.C (1990) methods. The content of ash, fibre, protein, fat and carbohydrate of the shells were all determined. Also, the mineral analysis of the ]]>
2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ and P) was also carried out using spectrophotometry method. All experiments were repeated three times.
]]>
Microbial analysis: The shells of the molluscs were sun dried and ground into fine particles using mortar and pestle. Anti-microbial analysis of the shell was determined by methods described by Sodipe, Osinowo, Onagbesan and Bankole (2012) using disc diffusion method. The anti-microbial activities were tested against bacterial (Proteus mirabitus, Pseudodomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal (Aspergillus flavus,
Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger) isolates. The plates were incubated and the zones of inhibition were measured (Sodipe et al., 2012).
Data collected were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and separation of significant values (p<0.05) was done by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT).
Results
Shell uses: The various uses of mollusc shells as mentioned by respondents are shown in Table 1. ]]>
Physical and chemical composition of the shells:Table 2 presents the physical properties of the shells. ]]>
A. marginata had the highest weight while the shell of L. littorea had the lowest value. ]]>
Table 3 shows the proximate composition of the mollusc shells. The shells contain no moisture content except M. mercenaria and L. littorea (2.22% and 3.37% ]]>
L. littorea) and 92.76/100g (A. achatina).
The mineral composition of the ]]>
Table 4. Results showed that M. lussoria and M. mercenaria (clam species) had the highest Ca2+ and Fe2+ concentrations while A. achatina had the least.
Microbial analysis: The antimicrobial effects of the mollusc shells against bacteria and fungi isolates are shown in Table 5. The shells of the molluscs did not ]]>
Discussion
Responses from herb and snail sellers in Abeokuta shows that mollusc shells were used for washing ]]>
A. achatina and clam.
The physical characteristics of mollusc shells revealed that a clam shell (M. mercenaria
) has the highest thickness followed by A. marginata. This probably explains their being used for cutting objects and storing substances as earlier reported by Agbelusi and Ejidike (1992).
Falade (1995) ]]>
The mollusc shells ]]>
The low protein and fat content of ]]>
Lymnae stagnalis. The main function of mollusc shell is protection and carbohydrate unlike protein and fat has strong binding properties which do not decompose easily in the presence of bad elements of weather.
The mineral analysis of the mollusc ]]>
M. lusoria and M. mercenaria) had significantly higher Fe2+ and ]]>
2+ than other mollusc species. This might likely be due to their location, that is, marine environment, whereas other molluscs are terrestrial. Bertine and Goldberg (1972) observed that shell composition changes as a result of changing water chemistry. Subtidal anoxic marine sediments contain high amount of soluble sulphate (H2S) and acid labile sulphate (FeS) (Howarth, & Giblin, 1983). Furthermore, Ca2+was significantly more than other ions present in the shells. This might explain the use of mollusc shells as abrasive, brushing agents and for stopping bleeding as earlier reported by Agbelusi and Ejidike (1992). Blood clotting involves conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin which forms a mesh network and covers the wound (Muszbek, Bagoly, Bereczky, & Katona, 2008). This process depends on calcium availability for its proper mechanism. Similarly, ]]>
Limicolaria flammea) shell and calcium concentration. The presence of these vital minerals needed for strong teeth in snail shells warranted their inclusion in formula for washing teeth in rural areas of Ondo state. Here, the shell is oven-dried and ground into fine powder and kept in safe container. ]]>
The mollusc shells had low Na+ concentration. This is not unexpected as other parts of the molluscs-haemolymph and flesh are reported to have low concentration of Na+ (Ademolu, Idowu, Mafiana, & Osinowo, 2007; Idowu, Somide, & ]]>
+ intake.
Results showed that mollusc shells do not have antimicrobial property as they did not inhibit the growth of pathogenic isolates. Sodipe et al. (2012) and Kayode and Ademolu ]]>
A. marginata inhibited four bacterial ]]>
2+ Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the shells is the major reason for their usage in washing teeth, stopping bleeding and inclusion in animal feeds formulation.
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1. Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B.2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria; kennyademolu@yahoo.com, akintolamy@yahoo.com, funmiolayinka@yahoo.co.uk, bola.blessing@yahoo.com
Received 03-II-2014. Corrected 12-XII-2014. Accepted 23-I-2015.
