African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (16), pp. 1959-1962, 20 August 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of feeding adult snails Stylosanthes guianensis or Lablab purpureus as substitute for pawpaw leaf

Okpeze, C. N.¹, Omole, A. J.², Ajayi, F. T.² and Adebowale, E. A. ²

¹Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, I.A.R.&T., Ibadan, Nigeria.

 ²Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: omoleboye@yahoo.com.

Accepted 9 August, 2007

The feeding trial assessed the performance, carcass and sensory evaluation of adult snails fed solely on leaves of Stylosanthes guianensis or Lablab purpureus as substitute for pawpaw leaf. Ninety-six (96) adult snails were used for the trial, and they were shared into three groups. Each group was replicated four times with 8 snails per replicate in a completely randomized design. Parameters measured include weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio, while dressing percent were calculated. The sensory evaluation was also carried out. The results show that snails fed S. guianensis performed better in terms of weight gain and feed intake and compared competitively with snail fed pawpaw leaf (P>0.05). The dressing percent, shell thickness, length and width, taste and general acceptability were not affected by the dietary treatments. Snail farmers are encouraged to cultivate S. guianensis to feed snails which can be used to substitute pawpaw leaf.

Key words: Feed conversion ratio, Lablab purpureus, Stylosanthes guianensis, weight gain.