Nutrients and anti-nutrients in small snails ( Limicolaria aurora)

The proximate composition, toxic substances, mineral elements and amino acid compositions of fresh Limicolaria aurora were determined. The moisture content of the sample was 71.24g/100g (wet weight). Crude protein, crude fat, and ash contents were 51.0, 9.70 and 11.8 g/100 g DM (dry matter), respectively. Some anti-nutrients were also determined: total oxalate was 381 mg/100 g DM while hydrocyanic and tannic acids were 112 and 592 mg/100 g DM, respectively. Mineral element analysis showed that L. aurora is rich in sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Among the essential amino acids assayed, the sulphur-containing amino acids with a chemical score of 46.0% appeared to be the most limiting when compared with the essential amino acid pattern of whole hen's egg. The potential of L. aurora as a source of food nutrients is discussed.