Toxic Elements and Mineral Content of Different Tissues of Endemic Edible Snails (Helix vladika and H. secernenda) of Montenegro

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to determine the differences between the mineral content of various organs of Helix vladika and H. secernenda, the two most abundant edible snail species in Montenegro. The bioaccumulation of 12 examined elements (zinc, manganese, copper, aluminum, cadmium, lead, nickel, iron, chromium, lithium, selenium and mercury) was determined in the hepatopancreas, albumen gland, digestive tract, reproductive system, mantle, foot and shell from three sampling sites (Biogradska Gora, Nikšić and Malesija). The examined populations of H. vladika and H. secernenda showed a significant difference in their lithium and selenium contents. The levels of the most examined metals (Zn, Mn, Cu, Al, Cd, Pb, Se and Hg) varied significantly among organs. The digestive tract and hepatopancreas tend to bioaccumulate selenium and cadmium. The general mean concentration of cadmium in the examined snail tissues exceeded the maximum allowable level at the Biogradska Gora and Malesija sites. Therefore, the use of the Montenegrin edible snails collected from the wilderness for human consumption seems to be limited by their higher bioaccumulation capacity for toxic elements such as cadmium.

Cadmium nitrate and DNA methylation in gastropods: comparison between ovotestis and hepatopancreas

“…Global 5mC content of ovotestis DNA was, by contrast, not affected by cadmium uptake via food. This organ retains smaller amounts of cadmium when compared to the hepatopancreas ( Vaufleury & Kerhoas, 2000 ; Nica et al, 2017a ; Vukasinovic-Pesic et al, 2020 ), and thus may exhibit a lower Cd sensitivity. It is also plausible that the higher variability of total 5mC percentage in the former organ is related to the different stages of snail reproductive cycle.…”

“…The measured concentrations in kidneys and foot muscles reached values up to 100 mg/kg d. wt Cd and 30 mg/kg d. wt Cd, respectively ( Rabitsch, 1996 ). At natural levels of soil Cd (0.48−1.24 mg/kg d. wt), mature specimens of Helix vladika (Kobelt, 1898) and Helix secernenda (Rossmassler, 1847) obtained from three sampling sites in Montenegro displayed cadmium concentrations up to three-fold higher in the reproductive system relative to the soil ( Vukasinovic-Pesic et al, 2020 ). Similar data were reported for other ecologically-relevant gastropod species, including C. aspersum ( e.g.…”

“…Literature data show that cadmium does accumulate in the hermaphrodite glands ( syn. ovotestis) of gastropods ( Vukasinovic-Pesic et al, 2020 ; Dhiman & Pant, 2021 ). This organ is of utmost importance for species survival ( Dallinger et al, 2001 ) and possible transgenerational effects related to exposure to environmental contaminants ( Osborne, Gillis & Prosser, 2020 ; Wang & Liu, 2023 ).…”

Proximate and Macromineral Content of Gastropods in the Mangrove Area of Desa Bakau Sambas Regency

“…Selain itu, masyarakat pesisir banyak memanfaatkan gastropoda sebagai bahan pangan (Haslianti et al, 2017;Supusepa, 2018;Purnama et al, 2019). Daging gastropoda dapat dianggap sebagai bahan makanan berkualitas tinggi karena memiliki kandungan protein tinggi (36-70,8%), rendah lemak (0,02-1,50) (Cumplido et al, 2020;Niccy et al, 2020), vitamin (Jayalakshmi, 2016, mineral esensial (Warsidah et al, 2022;Oktavia et al, 2023;Tardugno et al, 2023), serta asam lemak omega-3 dan omega-6 yang seimbang (Galluzzo et al, 2019;Vukašinović-Pešić et al, 2020). Kandungan mineral dalam tubuh gastropoda sangat terkait dengan beberapa faktor, seperti asal geografis, pola makan, musim, dan siklus hidup.…”

“…Kandungan mineral pada penelitian ini masih tergolong rendah dibandingkan dengan penelitian-penelitian sebelumnya pada spesies Archachatina marginata (Djikeng et al, 2022), Laevistrombus turturella (867,81 mg/100g) berat kering dan Hemifusus colosseus (639,4 mg/100g) (Rasyid & Dody, 2018;Thu et al, 2020). Selain itu, makro mineral yang penting untuk pemenuhan nutrisi pada manusia seperti selenium (Se), tembaga (Cu), dan seng (Zn) juga dapat diakumulasi dengan jumlah banyak dalam tubuh gastropoda (Ziomek et al, 2018;Vukašinović-Pešić et al, 2020;Cicero et al, 2022). Gastropoda laut Monetaria dan Lambis juga dilaporkan mengandung mikro mineral seperti Mn, Fe, Cu, dan Zn (Warsidah et al, 2022).…”