LEVEL OF HEAVY METALS AND MINERAL IN TISSUES AND BODY FLUIDS OF AFRICAN GIANT SNAIL (ARCHACHATINA MARGINATA)

Abstract

Minerals and heavy metals contents in tissues and body fluids of African giant land snail (Archachatina marginata) from different open markets (Ketu, Mile 12, Ikorodu Garage, and Ogijo) in Ikorodu metropolis were evaluated. Snail tissues and body fluids were harvested having cracked the tail-end of the shell. The snail tissues and body fluids were separated and extracted then digested. Evaluation was done for content of Cu, Cd, Cr Pb, Zn K, Na, Mg, and Ca using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The levels of Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb and Zn determined in the body tissues were taken as heavy metals while the levels of K, Na, Mg and Ca analyzed were taken as the mineral contents in the body fluid. The results obtained were compared with both the Federal Environment Protection Agency (FEPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for metals in foods. The `value of zinc was highest at Ogijo market (3.301 ppm) and lowest at Ketu (1.904 ppm) market in all the sample due to the bioaccumulation of metals as a result of industrial and commercial activities. The range of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn content of snail tissue were 0.001 - 0.003, 0.119 - 0.160, 0.199 - 1.790, 0.000 - 0.007 and 1.904 - 3.30 ppm respectively, similarly Ca, Mg, Na and K of snail fluids were 1823 - 2089, 11.05 - 14.01, 5.02 - 6.05 and 39.07 - 243.9 (mg/kg) respectively. Generally, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr accumulated levels were lower than WHO and FEPA), while the mineral content falls within the range. Key words: Heavy Metals, Snail, Mineral Analysis, AAS