Effect of Larval Trematode Infection on the Nutritional Value of Nerita Orbignyana Marine Snails

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Snails are rich in high-quality proteins and low fat, but little is known about the nutritional value of edible snails that can meet the world’s nutritional needs. Parasitic infection of larval trematodes to these snails affects their nutritional value. Studies in Saudi Arabia on parasitic infections in marine snails are rare. The current study aimed to screen the collected snails for the prevalence of larval trematode infections and biochemical changes in proteins and carbohydrates for one whole year using parasitological methods for 132 marine snails belonging to Nerita orbignyana. Snails were collected randomly and monthly from November 2018 to December 2019 from the Red Sea Obhor bay, Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. The number of proteins and carbohydrates in the Digestive Gland Gonad complex (DGG), hemolymph, and Snail Conditioned Water (SCW) of non-infected and infected snails was estimated using an Elisa DSX best 2000. The snails were found infected with two types of cercariae, Trichobelharzia and Ascorhytis charadriformis cercariae. The infection prevalence was highest in the snail length of 19-20 mm with a percentage of 42%. The study showed that there is a significant decrease in the concentration of proteins and carbohydrates in DGG, hemolymph, and SCW in infected snails. The nutritive value of the snails is affected by infection through the decrease of protein and carbohydrates in infected snails. Further qualitative studies are needed.