Standard methods of analysis were used to determine the mineral and nutrient content of the molluscan shells. The mean and variance of each nutrient were determined.
The shells contained high percentage of calcium of 12.35 to 15.07% (13.90±0,26) sodium 0.10 to 1.55% (0.705±0,16) magnesium 0.10 to 1.02% (0.44±0.009) phosphorus 0.18 to 0.63 (0.35±0.005) potassium 0.003 to 0.021% (0.012±0.002). The molluscan shells also has large proportions of crude protein with values of 1.49-3.76% (2.32±0.22).
The ash content was between 86.0 and 96% (90.8±1.12). The fat/oil value was 0.40 to 1.0% (0.65±0.07); moisture content was between 1.50 and 10% (6.5± 0.95) and crude fibre content ranged from 0.50 to 5.50% (3.42± 0.49). These results were not unrelated to their feeding habits. The molluscs were collected from different riches such as mangroove root, subtida]. mud; intertidal surface leaf litter and inside water itself. These shells can be used as substitute ingredients in fish feed formulation thereby saving cost and foreign exchange for the nation and if properly utilized will increase fish production through increased use in fish feed manufacture.
