title: Investigation of nutritional properties of three species of marine turban snails for human consumption.
abstract: Turban snails (family Turbinidae) are gastropod molluscs that are harvested for human consumption yet little is known about the nutritional properties of these snails, particularly from Australian waters. This study compares the proximate composition (ash, moisture, protein, and lipid content), fatty acid profiles, mineral, and trace element content of three species of turbinid snails;Turbo militaris, Lunella undulata,andLunella torquatafrom northern New South Wales, Australia. They were all found to have relatively high protein in their flesh (16.0% to 18.5% of the fresh weight).L. torquatahad a significantly higher lipid content (8.5% w/w) thanL. undulata(5.2% w/w), whereasT. militaris(5.6% w/w) was not significantly different to either. Analysis with gas chromatography showed there was no significant difference in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content, with an average of approximately 14% of the total fatty acids in all three species. However, saturated fatty acids (SFA) were significantly higher inT. militaris(41%), whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were significantly higher inL. undulata(46%). The ratio ofn-3/n-6 fatty acids ranged from 1.1 inT. militaristo 1.4 inL. torquata,which is good for human health and comparable to other high value gastropods. The results indicate thatT. militaris,L. undulata,andL. torquataprovide a good source of essential elements such as zinc, selenium, and iron. At the location studied, toxic metals and metalloids were below safe recommended standards for human consumption. Overall, this study confirms the suitability of turban snails as a nutritional food for human consumption.
authors.affiliation: Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering University of Southern Cross Lismore 2480 New South Wales Australia; University Malaysia Terengganu Kuala 21030 Terengganu Malaysia.
authors.forename: Roslizawati
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ab Lah
authors.affiliation: Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering University of Southern Cross Lismore 2480 New South Wales Australia; Southern Cross Plant Science University of Southern Cross Lismore 2480 New South Wales Australia.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Southern Cross Plant Science University of Southern Cross Lismore 2480 New South Wales Australia.
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Savins
authors.affiliation: Southern Cross Plant Science University of Southern Cross Lismore 2480 New South Wales Australia.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dowell
authors.affiliation: Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering University of Southern Cross Lismore 2480 New South Wales Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bucher
authors.affiliation: Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering University of Southern Cross Lismore 2480 New South Wales Australia.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Benkendorff
keywords: Fatty acids; Turbinidae; heavy metals; n−3/n−6 ratio; protein; trace elements; turban snails