DISTRIBUTION OF FATTY ACIDS AND TOTAL LIPIDS IN FIVE TISSUES OF EDIBLE SNAIL HELIX LUCORUM (L., 1758) FROM THE SOUTHEAST OF TURKEY

Abstract

This investigation was carried out on fatty acid compositions and total lipid quantities in selected tissues (gonad, mantle, digestive gland, cephalopedal and whole body) of Helix lucorum with the aim of evaluating biochemical and nutritional value of edible snail parts. C16:0, C18:0, C18:1ω9, C18:2ω6, C20:2ω6 and C20:4ω6 were found as dominant components. C18:2ω6 (24.44%) and C20:4ω6 (17.49%) were present in fair amounts in the digestive gland and gonad, respectively. The gonad and mantle had a good proportion of C20:2ω6 and the cephalopedal contained significant amount of C20:1ω9. ΣPUFA levels were higher than ΣSFA and ΣMUFA levels in all tissues. Overall ratio of Σω6/Σω3 was defined as follow: gonad, 9.07; mantle, 7.26; cephalopedal, 6.02; whole body, 4.86; digestive gland, 4.06. Among the organs, digestive gland and gonad showed the highest proportion of total lipid. Consequently, the study revealed that tissues of the snail are a good source for PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids), essential fatty acids C18:2ω6, C20:4ω6 (precursors of eicosanoids) and other omega 6 family fatty acids, however the total lipid contents were not found at the expected amount. In numerous studies, it is stated that snail meat has several advantages including rich minerals, essential amino and fatty acids and high content of PUFA. Their meat is believed to be a factor affecting higher life span and lower cancer rate in some countries. High amount of C18:2ω6, C20:4ω6 and PUFA make them important nutrition due to preventing cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disorders and retina and brain development.