Sumerianz Journal of Biotechnology

    
Online ISSN: 2617-3050
Print ISSN: 2617-3123

Quarterly Published (4 Issues Per Year)

Journal Website: https://www.sumerianz.com/?ic=journal-home&journal=32

Archive

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2024)

The Giant African Land Snail; a Delicacy in Africa, But a Pest Everywhere Else. A Review

Authors : Elijah I. Ohimain ; Philip C. Alikwe ; Ose Emasealu ; Langley A. Orutugu
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjbmm.71.1.10
Abstract:
A Giant African Land Snail (GALS) is the common name given to some species of molluscs in Africa, of which the three commonest species are Lissachatina fulica, Achatina achatina and Archachatina marginata. They are non-timber forest products that have been consumed as delicacy in Africa for millennia. About 200 years ago, L. fulica was introduced mostly by human agents into other tropical and sub-tropical countries, where it evolved into a pest, threatening biodiversity, agriculture and became an urban menace. It presented a public health concern because it harbours pathogens and parasites that made it a vector of many diseases. Attempts to control the snail using physical, chemical and biological methods has recorded meagre successes in most countries and often accompanied with greater biodiversity and public health concerns. We proposed an invasivore control after appropriate processing and cooking as an alternative method of control. Besides, bioactive substances with novel biotechnological applications have increasingly been detected in the snail. Hence, the aim of this study is to appraise GALS especially L. fulica, which is a delicacy in Africa, but an invasive pest in other parts of the world. We reviewed literature and presented the culinary and pharmacologic benefits among other uses, its nativity and global spread, nuisance and pest attributes and control measures of L. fulica.

Pages: 1-10