Journal of Molluscan Research, (JMR) Volume 9, 2022
* ADELABU, B.A., TAIWO, O.M., BEJIDE, S.O., OYEDEMI, O.T. AND
1OLADOSU, I.M
ABSTRACT
Isolation, determination of microbial load and identification of microorganisms associated with haemolymph of the three stages of development of the giant African land snail Archachatina marginata was investigated in this study. Different developmental phases of snail (snailet, juvenile and adult) were purchased from snail dealers in three different farms in Osiele, Mille 8 and Lafenwa, Abeokuta Ogun State, Nigeria. Snails were cleaned with 70% ethanol. Shells of the snails were gently removed to collect the haemolymph inside a universal bottle for microbial analysis.
Nutrient agar and Potatoes Dextrose agar were used to isolate bacteria and mold respectively from each growth phase. Colony forming unit per mill of haemolymph was calculated. Microorganisms were identified using phenotypic method. Results showed that snails at all growth phases harbored microorganisms. Juvenile stage had significantly higher number of mold (178 CFU/ml) than the other two growth phases across the three farms. Highest bacterial load was observed in juvenile stage (293 CFU/ml). Different species of bacteria were identified in all growth phases with Bacillus species present in all phases. Few molds were identified in all growth phases with Aspergillus specie identified in all growth phases. There were slight different in microorganisms found in haemolymph of the three growth phases of A. marginata.
This study confirms that haemolymph from all growth phases of A. marginata harbors microorganisms, thus its consumption should be carefully considered.
Keywords: Haemolymph, Growth phase, Giant African land snail, Bacillussp, Aspergillus sp
