Helix aspersa aspersa flour: An evaluation for dietary supplementation
David Bongiorno,
Cristina Giosuè,
Serena Indelicato,
Giuseppe Avellone,
Giuseppe Maniaci,
Marianna Del Core,
Fabio D'Agostino
Affiliations
David Bongiorno
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90123, Italy
Cristina Giosuè
Institute for Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, National Council of Research (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo 4521, Loc. Addaura, Palermo, 90149, Italy
Serena Indelicato
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90123, Italy; Corresponding author.
Giuseppe Avellone
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90123, Italy
Giuseppe Maniaci
Department of Agricultural Food and Forestry Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90128, Italy
Marianna Del Core
Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (IAS), National Research Council of Italy (IAS-CNR), Trapani, 91021, Italy
Fabio D'Agostino
Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (IAS), National Research Council of Italy (IAS-CNR), Trapani, 91021, Italy
This study assesses the nutritional composition and safety of lab-produced snail flour derived from Helix aspersa aspersa, an herbivorous pulmonated gastropod mollusc that occupies various trophic levels in food chains. Our analysis focused on key nutritional aspects, including moisture, ash, protein, and fat contents. Contaminant analysis on the powder showed levels below detectable limits for PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs. The heavy metal concentration was found to be either on par with or lower than values reported in existing literature, indicating the safety of these snail powders for human consumption. Our results revealed a notable presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids and strongly support the idea that snail powders can serve as sustainable protein sources in both human and animal diets.
