Effect of Different Levels of Calcium and Addition of Magnesium in the Diet on Garden Snails’ ( Cornu aspersum ) Condition, Production, and Nutritional Parameters

Anna Rygało-Galewska (), Klara Zglińska, Mateusz Roguski, Kamil Roman, Wiktor Bendowski, Damian Bień and Tomasz Niemiec
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Anna Rygało-Galewska: Division of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 166 Nowoursynowska St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Klara Zglińska: Division of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 166 Nowoursynowska St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Mateusz Roguski: Division of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 166 Nowoursynowska St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Kamil Roman: Institute of Wood Sciences and Furniture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 166 Nowoursynowska St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Wiktor Bendowski: Division of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 166 Nowoursynowska St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Damian Bień: Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 166 Nowoursynowska St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Tomasz Niemiec: Division of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 166 Nowoursynowska St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-29

Abstract: Edible snails are an attractive protein source due to their high growth rate, cost-efficiency, and nutritional value. Calcium is crucial for snail growth, reproduction, and shell formation, while magnesium plays a role in enzyme function and muscle tone. This study aimed to optimise calcium and magnesium levels in Cornu aspersum diets to optimise the production and technological characteristics of the derived animal products. Snails were fed specific diets in controlled conditions with varying calcium and magnesium levels (44.3, 66.1, 88.7, 103.5 Ca g/kg feed and 3.3, 5.6, 7.2 Mg g/kg feed) for four months. Their growth, shell characteristics, and meat composition were evaluated. As calcium in the feed increased, carcass and shell weights were higher. Also, the crushing force of the shells was higher with increasing amount of calcium in the feed. In the group with 10.35% calcium and 0.72% magnesium, snail growth significantly slowed down after three months, with lower mortality. It is suggested that a shortened fattening cycle by 3–4 weeks compared to the magnesium-free diet is possible. However, based on meat, shell, mortality, and feed intake analysis, a 0.56% magnesium concentration in the feed seems to give better results, as magnesium content at 0.72% might be toxic to snails. Further investigation is to confirm the possibility of neutralising the negative effects of magnesium in the diet through increasing calcium and phosphorus intake.

Keywords: edible snails; Cornu aspersum; snail nutrition; magnesium addition; calcium addition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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