Biochemical and microbiological properties of haemolymph from African land snail (Achatina achatina) in Akure metropolis

Haemolymphs were aseptically collected from matured African Land Snails (Achatina achatina) obtained from four villages in Akure metropolis and examined for biochemical and microbiological properties using standard methods. Four villages (Ibulesoro, Aule, Igoba and Oda) within Akure metropolis were purposefully selected for this study, Twenty (20) snails were obtained in each village and a total of eighty (80) snail samples were collected from the four villages. The results of biochemical constituents of the haemolymph revealed that the mean values of pH ranged from 6.68 - 6.97; total protein (mg/dl) 24.27 - 30.33; glucose (mg/dl) 13.94 - 19.33; lipid (mg/L) 1.38 – 1.71; urea (g/dl) 3.63 – 3.92; albumin (g/dl) 1.74 – 1.96 and globulin (g/dl) 3.13 – 3.52. Mineral components of the haemolymph from the snails in all locations revealed the concentration (mg/L) of sodium in the ranged of 138.02 – 209.54; calcium 30.63 – 38.01; phosphate 54.36 – 65.74; potassium 32.15 – 40.22; bicarbonate 21.08 – 27.31; magnesium 16.41 – 21.52 and chloride 83.07 – 118.92. The results of microbiological components of the haemolymph from the snail samples revealed the mean plate count of various bacterial and fungi isolate. The amount (cfu/ml) of bacterial isolates in the haemolymph are Staphylococcus aureus which ranged from 1.92 x 103 – 2.86 x 103; Faecal strephtoccoci 2.48 x 103– 4.26 x 103 and Shigella dysentriae 0.83 x 103– 2.23 x 103; others include Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia.  The predominant fungi isolate in the haemolymph was mucor spp with the mean total count ranged from 4.31 x 103– 9.33 x 103; followed by Aspergilus fumigatus 3.21 x 103– 5.43 x 103 , others are Rhizopus spp, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger. The study revealed that the snail fluid (haemolymph) contained adequate amount of biochemical components and nutritionally valuable minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and other ions that could enhance the body normal physiological function when consumed. However, the prevalent of some pathogenic bacterial and fungi in the haemolymph proof it to be unsafe for human consumption in its raw form. The study therefore suggest that the haemolymph should be adequately pasteurized and disinfect before consumption as herbal remedies for medicinal purpose.