EFFECT OF DIETARY VARIATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE,

NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION AND MEAT QUALITY IN TWO DIFFERENT

AGE GROUPS OF AFRICAN LAND GIANT SNAILS (Achatina achatina)

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the effect of dietary variation on growth performance,

nutritional composition, and meat quality in two different age groups (12 weeks and 24

weeks) of Achatina achatina snails. The study will involve feeding different diets (Koudijs

Broiler starter diet crumble- 22.5% crude protein, 2888 kcal ME/kg as control. 10 and 20% of

the control diet would be partly replaced with formulated and compounded diet from

Moringa leaves and unripe pawpaw fruits with the control as treatment II and III respectively

on a dry matter basis to (juvenile-12 weeks old and adult-24 weeks old) Achatina achatina

snails for 12 weeks. Parameters to be assessed would be growth, nutritional content, and meat

quality attributes. The findings of this research will contribute to understanding the dietary

requirements of Achatina achatina snails at different stages of growth, which can inform

optimal feeding practices in snail farming for enhanced productivity and quality. Thus,

ensuring food security and supporting economic development in communities which rely on

snail farming as a source of income and nutrition in Ghana.

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The main sources of animal protein for many Ghanaians are obtained from livestock in

the form of beef, pork, poultry, chevon and mutton. However, the production of these animals

keeps declining as a result of human settlement, high cost of feed, diseases and primitive

animal husbandry techniques. The increase in the human population globally coupled with

the rising standard of living has also limited the available sources of animal protein

(Fagbuaro et al., 2006). Food and Agricultural Organization (1988) recommended 65-70g of

protein intake per day per adult, out of which 35g must be from animal sources. However, the

animal protein consumption of many people, especially from developing countries is

generally lower than the recommended figure by FAO, resulting in serious malnutrition. Due

to the severe lack of animal protein in many diets, efforts should be focused on producing

extremely desired and prolific animals. Snails are a highly prolific and rich source of animal

protein that has been silent for years in West Africa. Although snail meat has been eaten by

people across the world since pre-historic times when snails were gathered from the wild for

food, its commercial production is still new in most West African regions (Chinwuko, 2003).

In recent years, snail farming (heliciculture) has been gaining popularity in many

countries including Ghana due to the increasing demand for snail meat and its products.

There are several snail species in Ghana including the (Archachatina marginata, Achatina

achatina and Achatina fulica), however, the Achatina achatina is the most widely consumed

snail species in Ghana. Achatina achatina, commonly known as the giant African land snail,

is one of the largest terrestrial snail species, native to West Africa but widely distributed

around the world due to its agricultural and culinary significance. Its meat, sometimes

referred to as escargot, is a wholesome delicacy that is low in cholesterol and high in protein,
vitamins, and minerals (Kalio & Etela, 2011). The low cholesterol level of snail meat made it

a healthy alternative to other meat sources like (chicken, beef and pork) and also, a good

treatment for diseases like anaemia, asthma, high blood pressure and similar ailments because

of its high iron and low cholesterol levels (Fagbuaro et al., 2006). Snails are also a major

source of essential amino acids such as lysine, methionine, arginine and tryptophan (Kalio &

Etela, 2011). According to Okonkwo et al., (2000), snail meat provides more lysine and

arginine than whole egg. It is perhaps for these amino acid contents that the meat is

recommended for convalescing patients. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-

Ghana (2022) confirmed that snails are rich in nutrients like iron and vitamins A and C which

can improve vision and boost the immune system. Aside from the nutritional and health

benefits, snails, in general, are environmentally friendly animals, unlike poultry, pigs, cattle,

sheep etc. which normally disturb the environment with their odour droppings, noise and

aggressiveness yet little research has been conducted on these micro livestock, especially in

Ghana.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Diet plays a crucial role in the growth and development of snails, as it directly affects

their nutrient intake and metabolism. However, feed requirements for large-scale production

of snails have not been holistically developed to improve their growth and meat quality. The

majority of commercial snail farmers use mainly commercially produced broiler starter diets

of 22.5% crude protein and 2800 Kcal ME/kg or layer mash of crude protein 19% and 2700

kcal/ME/kg as their feed resources. Others who do not have the financial resources utilize

crop products such as moringa leaves, pawpaw fruits, cocoyam leaves etc. as feed resources

when it is available and affordable. However, consumers of these snail farming products

complain of the organoleptic quality of snails raised on broiler starter diet and layer mash
compared to those gathered from the wild which feed on organic resources such as plant parts

and debris that fall on the ground.

Therefore, the current study seeks to partly replace the broiler starter diet generally

used by majority of commercial snail farmers with diets formulated and compounded from

moringa leaves and unripe pawpaw fruits on dried matter basis plus palm oil (to be isocaloric

and iso-nitrogenous) with the commercial feeds to see or study its effect on the growth

performance, nutritional composition and the perceived organoleptic properties of twelve

weeks old and twenty-four weeks old Achatina achatina snails. Previous studies by Orsar et

al., (2018) on Archachatina marginata snails in Nigeria have demonstrated that the nutritional

composition of the diet can significantly influence the growth performance and meat quality

of snails. However, limited research has been conducted to investigate the specific dietary

requirements of Achatina achatina snails at different stages of growth. The existing

knowledge gap poses a significant challenge to snail farmers and agricultural researchers,

limiting their ability to decide on the most suitable diet for optimal snail growth and meat

production. Therefore, this research aims to fill this gap by examining the effect of dietary

variation on growth performance, nutritional composition, and meat quality in two different

age groups of Achatina snails.

1.3 General Objective of the Study

The main objective of the study is to determine the effect of dietary variation on

growth performance, nutritional composition and meat quality in two different age groups of

African land giant snails (Achatina achatina) to produce healthy and tasty snails all year

round for consumers.

1.4 Specific Objectives of the Study

Specifically, the study will:

  evaluate the growth performance of two different age groups (12 weeks and 24 weeks

old) of Achatina achatina snails fed with three distinct diets.

 assess the nutritional composition of snail meat with the different diets and age

groups.

 determine the effect of the various diets on the meat quality attributes of A. achatina

snails.

 ascertain the effect of the experimental diets on the shell-meat ratio and shell quality

of the snails.

1.5 Research Questions

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study

 How does dietary variation impact the growth performance of African Land Giant

Snails (Achatina achatina) in different age groups?

 How do dietary variations affect the protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and mineral content

in the meat of African Land Giant Snails across different age groups?

 How does dietary variation influence the meat quality attributes, such as tenderness,

colour, and flavour, in African Land Giant Snails of different age groups?

 What is the effect of the experimental diets on the shell-meat ratio and shell quality of
the snails?
1.5 Research hypothesis

1. H0: There is no significant effect of dietary variation on growth performance, nutritional

composition, and meat quality attributes in two different age groups of African land giant

snails (Achatina achatina).

2. H1: Dietary variation significantly affects growth performance, nutritional composition,

and meat quality attributes in two different age groups of African land giant snails (Achatina

achatina).
Significance of the Study

The significance of this study lies in its potential contributions to the field of snail

farming and sustainable food production. Understanding the dietary requirements of Achatina

snails at different growth stages can lead to the development of optimized feeding practices,

which can enhance the productivity and quality of snails. This, in turn, can benefit farmers by

improving their economic returns and consumers by providing high-quality, nutritious snail

meat.

The findings will again greatly benefit the public and investors by encouraging them to

embark upon snail farming. Thus, increasing the quantity and quality of snails available to

consumers in the market thereby boosting the animal protein intake of many Ghanaians.

Moreover, by promoting sustainable snail farming practices, this research can

contribute to food security, improve the employability of unemployed youth and

environmental sustainability, as snails are an efficient converter of feed into protein and have

a relatively low environmental footprint compared to conventional livestock.

Limitations of the study

The research focuses primarily on growth performance, nutritional composition, and

meat quality attributes. However, other aspects such as the snail's health, behaviour, or

physiological responses to dietary variation could not be looked at.

Also, the research does not include other health indicators, such as disease resistance or

reproductive capabilities which could also be affected by the various experimental diets.

Delimitation

The study will be conducted to reflect only the chosen research topic, as well as the

study’s objectives.
 Also, the research will focus specifically on African land giant snails (Achatina achatina)

species. Therefore, the findings may not apply to other species of snails or snails from

different geographical regions.

Again, the research will be conducted over a specific period, which may not capture the

long-term effects of dietary variation on snails' growth performance, nutritional composition,

and meat quality. The findings, therefore, may not reflect the outcomes if the study were

extended for a more extended period.

 CHAPTRE TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

The literature for this study is reviewed under the following sub-headings:

 Conceptual Framework

 The Snail industry in Europe

 The Snail Industry in West Africa

 Snail nutrition and feeding habit

 Moringa leaves meal and dried unripe pawpaw fruits as a source of feed for Snails

 The use of the Broiler Starter diet as Snail feed and its effect on the growth and meat

quality of snails

 The effect of moringa leaves meal and unripe pawpaw fruits on the growth

performance of snails

 Effect of moringa leave meal and unripe pawpaw fruits on the nutritional composition

of snails

 Effect of moringa leave meal and unripe pawpaw fruits on the meat quality attributes

of snails

 Empirical studies on Snail feed and use of moringa leaves and unripe pawpaw fruits

in compounding livestock feed.

2.1 Theoretical Framework of the Study

Man strives to do the best he can for himself at all times. Also, he makes an effort to figure

out the obstacles standing in the way of achieving his objectives. In this research, a few

variables are considered, such as the seasonal nature of snail feed and the high cost of
traditional feed (broiler starter crumble diet) which discourage a lot of people from

commercial snail production. Hence, the conceptual structure of this research is based on the

principles of production, which explore the relationship between outputs and inputs needed

for its achievement. The theory states that there is a functional connection between output

and its various inputs. Historically the well-known proponents of such theories are Adam

Smith and Pierre Scraffa. Factors of production in snail farming are inputs which man

manipulates like the use of moringa leaves and dried unripe pawpaw fruits in feeding snails

as well as others to achieve economic outputs in snail production. Mankiw, N. G. (2016)

confirmed that factors of production are materials needed to make products and services.

Land, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship are the factors of production identified by the

author.

According to Mankiw, N.G. (2011), Land provides space for production activities and

contains valuable natural resources crucial for various industries. In the context of this study,

Land is the physical space or area that consists of resources such as minerals, water and

vegetation, that offer a favourable environment for the growth and general well-being of

snails. Snails need a good source of calcium, organic matter, and soil moisture for better

growth which are all contained in the soil. (Alimi, 2000) submitted that, for optimum

production level, resources must be available, and the quantity of available resources must be

used. Land is very vital since the skills needed for effective snail farming are carried out on

land.

Labour is an element that is used in all aspects of the snail industry to achieve economic

success. According to Harvey (1998), labour refers to the physical and mental effort required

by humans to complete a task. In the context of this study, humans employ labour for snail

farming activities. Farmers need these skills for optimum snail growth, resulting in efficient

labour and economic benefits for snail production. Labour is crucial in the collection and
processing of moringa leaves and unripe pawpaw fruits, as production may be impossible

without it.

Capital might be interpreted as wealth set aside for the creation of additional riches. In the

opinion of Ehiametalor, Osu, Makeri, and Oladunjoye (1986), capital refers to physical assets

such as cash, structures, machinery, and tools needed for producing goods. Efficient use of

money, snail feed, and other inputs is essential for successful snail production and income

generation. This is because snail production is one of the areas in animal production that

requires considerably low investment capital comparatively. Besides, the use of rumen

digesta in snail production will reduce cost of

production thereby boosting the farmer‟s income. Adam Smith‟s theory of cost of production

of

value is the theory that the price of an object or condition is determined by the sum of the

cost

of the resources that went into making it.

Introduction:

The snail industry in West Africa has gained significant attention in recent years due to its

potential for economic growth and food security. Snails are widely consumed as a delicacy in

many West African countries and also have substantial export potential. This literature

review aims to explore the current state of the snail industry in West Africa, including its

production, challenges, and prospects.

Production of Snails in West Africa:

The production of snails in West Africa primarily involves two methods: wild collection and

captive breeding. Wild collection entails harvesting snails from their natural habitats, while

captive breeding involves artificially creating suitable conditions for snail reproduction (Obi,
2018). The three most common species raised for commercial purposes in West Africa

include the giant African land snail (Achatina fulica), the Achatina achatina, and the

Archachatina marginata (Irekhore, 2017).

Challenges Faced by the Snail Industry:

Despite its potential, the snail industry in West Africa faces several challenges that hinder its

growth. These challenges include inadequate knowledge and research, limited access to

quality breeding stock, high mortality rates, pests and diseases, inadequate infrastructure, and

limited market access.

Adequate research and knowledge gaps exist regarding snail reproduction, nutrition, health

management, and optimal breeding methods (Ayodele, 2016). This hampers the development

of efficient snail farming practices and inhibits the industry's growth potential.

Limited access to quality breeding stock is another challenge faced by snail farmers in West

Africa. The absence of standardized breeding programs and the limited availability of

imported lines of species with high growth rates and sizes hinder the industry's productivity

(Ayodele, 2016).

Snails are susceptible to various pests and diseases, such as nematodes, mites, and bacterial

infections, which can cause high mortality rates and economic losses (Mohammed & Salihu,

2018). To mitigate these risks, there is a need for better disease management strategies and

veterinarians specializing in snail health.

The inadequate infrastructure, including limited availability of snail housing systems,

processing facilities, and storage spaces, hinders the expansion of the industry. It becomes

challenging for snail farmers to meet the growing demand without the necessary facilities and

equipment (Ayodele, 2016).

Furthermore, limited market access and awareness of snail products both domestically and

internationally pose challenges for snail farmers. The lack of proper marketing channels and

the limited understanding of snail meat's value hinder the profitability of the industry (Obi,

2018).

Prospects for the Snail Industry:

Despite the challenges, the snail industry in West Africa shows promising prospects. The

rising demand for snail meat domestically, coupled with the increasing popularity of West

African cuisine globally, has created significant market potential (Irekhore, 2017). Snails are

not only consumed as a specialty food but are also sought after for their perceived nutritional

value and potential medicinal properties.

Efforts are being made to improve the snail farming industry in West Africa. Organizations

such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and local government bodies have

started initiatives to provide training, technical support, and access to financing to snail

farmers. These efforts aim to enhance productivity, ensure sustainable production systems,

and promote market linkages (Obi, 2018).

Researchers are also focusing on developing improved breeding techniques, feed

formulations, and disease control measures specific to West African snail farming conditions
(Agbelusi, 2016). These advancements will contribute to the long-term growth and

development of the snail industry in West Africa.

Conclusion:

The snail industry in West Africa holds great potential for economic growth and food

security. However, several challenges hindering its growth need to be addressed. The

industry requires further research and knowledge dissemination, improved access to quality

breeding stock, better disease management strategies, adequate infrastructure, and enhanced

market access. Efforts are being made to overcome these challenges, and with the rising

demand for snail meat, the prospects for the snail industry in West Africa are promising.

References:

Agbelusi, E. A. (2016). The Potential of Snail Farming in Promoting Sustainable

Livelihoods in Africa: The Nigerian Example. Ibadan Journal of Agricultural Research,

3(1), 97-108.

Ayodele, I. A. (2016). Opportunities and challenges of snail farming in Nigeria.

International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 4(3), 106-113.

Irekhore, O. (2017). The economic importance of snail production in Nigeria.

International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research, 11(2), 35-43.

Mohammed, A., & Salihu, A. (2018). Assessment of Snail Farming and Its Constraints

in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of

Agriculture Extension, 3(1), 48-52.

Obi, B. (2018). Heliciculture in West Africa: snail farming for food security and

economic empowerment. Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved from

http://www.fao.org/3/ca2869en/ca2869en.pdf

Methodology

Location of the research

The study will be carried out at Kakum National Park, in Twifo-Hemang Lower Denkyira

District of Central Region, Ghana.

Experimental Design

The study will adopt a factorial experimental design, with age groups (juvenile-12 weeks old

and adult-24 weeks old) and diet (three distinct diets) as independent variables. Each

treatment combination will be replicated three times.

Experimental Snails

A total of 180 Achatina achatina snails from two different age groups (12 weeks and 24

weeks) with 90 snails per group will be used for the study. Each age group of 90 snails will

randomly be fed three dietary treatments with three replicates. Each replicate will consist of

10 snails, making 30 snails per treatment.

The housing of experimental snails

Each replicate of 10 snails will be housed in a well-ventilated rectangular wooden cage

measuring 63cm by 46cm with stilts 86cm above the ground based on the recommended

stocking density of >100 hatchlings/m2 and 7-10 mature snails/m2 by Cobbinah (1994).

Sources of feed for experimental snails

A 22.5 % crude protein, 2888 kcal ME/kg broiler starter diet crumble from Koudijs company

in Tema, Ghana which is currently used by commercial snail farmers will be acquired and

used as the control diet. Also, a 22 % crude protein, 2888 kcal ME/kg diet will be formulated

and compounded from moringa leaves and unripe pawpaw fruits dried plus palm oil to be

(Isocaloric and Iso-nitrogenous to control diet). The newly formulated and compounded diet

from moringa leaves and unripe pawpaw fruits will be used to partly replace 10 and 20% of

the control diet. This would result in three experimental diets as indicated in Table 1:

Table 1: Dietary Treatments

Treatment Diet

Treatment I (control) Broiler starter diet

Treatment II 10% of the control has been replaced with a formulated and

compounded diet from moringa leaves and unripe pawpaw fruits

on a dry matter basis.

Treatment III 20% of the control diet on a dried matter basis has been replaced
with a diet formulated and compounded from moringa leaves and
unripe pawpaw fruits.

Fresh feed and water will be provided every evening during the hours of 5 pm to 6 pm after

weighing out leftover feed from the previous day and after cleaning the feeding and water

troughs respectively. The weigh-out feed from each pen will be accumulated (kept) in a fridge

for one week. After that, it will be well mixed and the dry matter and other proximate

components determined.
Data collection

The following parameters will be measured:

Growth Performance: Feed dry matter intake, Snail growth rate (weight gain), shell length,

shell width, feed conversion efficiency (FCE) per week and shell-meat ratio will be recorded

at the end of the study.

Organoleptic properties: At the end of the 12-week feeding trial, snails will be harvested,

and their meat quality attributes such as colour, texture, taste and flavour will be evaluated

using sensory analysis.

Nutritional Composition: The nutritional composition of snail meat (protein, fat,

carbohydrate and moisture) will be analysed. Also, minerals such as iron, calcium, sodium

and magnesium will be determined.

Statistical Analysis

Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques such as analysis of variance

(ANOVA) with the aid of GenStat version 11.1 (2008), according to the GenStat Procedure

Library Released PL19.11.2023, to determine the effects of diet, age group, and their

interaction on growth performance, nutritional composition, and meat quality attributes of the

Achatina achatina snails.

Timeline for the study

Table 2: Timeline for the study

MONTH ACTIVITY

April Diet formulation and compounding

April-July Experimentation and data collection

August Data analysis, interpretation and report writing

September Final revisions and submission

Budget for the research

Table 3: Budget for the Study

Item Description Amount (GH¢)

Snails pen 18 wooden pens will be constructed to 2,200

house the snails

Procurement of Snails 180 Snails will be procured for the study 2,700

Cost of feeding experimental 915

snails

Laboratory analyses Analysis of feed samples, nutritional 2500

profile of snail meat and mineral

contents.

Instruments for data The hiring of an electronic weighing 300

collection balance, micrometre screw gauge and

Vernier calliper

Feeding and drinking Purchasing of 18 feeders and 18 drinkers 180

troughs

Miscellaneous 315

Total 9,110
References

Fagbuaro et al., 2. (2006). Nutritional status of four species of giant land snails in Nigeria. J

Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B., 7 (9): 686–689.

Ilelaboye & Ede, 2. (2020). Growth performance, proximate composition and mineral content

of African Giant Land Snails (Archachatina marginata). Int. J. Agric. Sci. Nat. Res. 2

(2), 24-27, 2 (2), 24-27.

Kalio & Etela, 2. (2011). Nutritional and sensory profiling of the African giant land snail fed

commercial-type and leaf-based diets in a rain-forest ecology . Agricultural journal of

food, agriculture, nutrition and development, 11: 5-10.

Lawrencia et al., 2. ( 2023). ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT INNOVATIONS IN SNAIL

REARING AND MAINTENANCE FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSE (Vol. VOL.6

NO.1). United State of America: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN

EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

Orsar et al., 2. (2018). Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of African Giant

Land Snail -Archachatina marginata Fed Different Vegetable Based Diets. Advances

in Live Science and Technology, 66: 1-7.