TheCable

Consumption of snail can prevent and as well treat certain ailments, a university lecturer has said.

It is very good for those who have diabetes ─ as well as cancer, kidney problems, tuberculosis and anaemia.

Dr Fred Jaiyesimi, of the Department of Pharmacognosy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun, on Tuesday recommended the consumption of snails as a very good source of protein for prevention of different diseases.

He was speaking on “Snail: Source of Potential Dynamic Nutraceuticals and Pharmaceuticals” at the 3rd International Conference on the Giant African Land Snails (NETGALS) at the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta.

He said snail meat was healthier than red meat from cow and other livestock because of its low fat and cholesterol content.

“It is very high in protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, essential fatty acids.

“Snail farming is relatively cheaper in Nigeria and I still wonder why many people have not considered establishing snail farms instead of fish.

“Such farms are easy to set up and do not take time before the farm starts to yield profit,” Jaiyesimi said.

The lecturer said that beside its nutritious value, snails were also used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in some countries.

In his remarks, Mr Adeniyi Amusan, the President, Snail Farmers Association of Nigeria (SFAN), said that the shells of snails consisted of calcium carbonate, which if harnessed could turn waste into wealth.

Amusan said that the use of calcium carbonate powder from snails shell in Nigeria would reduce foreign exchange expended on the importation of oyster shells into the country.

“Virtually every part of snail is of vital use in food, pharmaceutical industry, manufacturing and fishing industry,” he said.

The provost, Dr Ayodeji Ajayi, advised Nigerians to tap the huge economic resources available in snail farming for industrial and technological growth.