A don, Dr Fred Jaiyesimi, on Tuesday recommended the consumption of snails as a very good source of protein for prevention of different diseases.
Jaiyesimi, of the Department of Pharmacognosy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun, made the recommendation at a lecture entitled “Snail: Source of Potential Dynamic Nutraceuticals and Pharmaceuticals”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was delivered at the 3rd International Conference on the Giant African Land Snails (NETGALS) at the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta.
According to him, consumption of snail can be effective for the treatment of ailments such as cancer, kidney, tuberculosis, anaemia and diabetes.
She said that 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 don said that besides 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.
Earlier, the Provost, Dr Ayodeji Ajayi, advised Nigerians to tap the huge economic resources available in snail farming for industrial and technological growth.
According to him, the importance of snails cannot be over-emphasised.
The highpoint of the programme was the presentation of a Special Award to Dr Funmilayo Akinnusi, Director, Centre for Degree Programme, Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, by NETGALS.