Nutritive Profile of Ivory Shell Babylonia zeylanica (Bruguiere, 1789) (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Babyloniidae)

Abstract

Molluscs are delicious and protein rich food among the sea foods. The gastropods in the coastline could form an important source of food, raw material for village industries, indigenous medicine, etc., and it is widely used as a cheaper food source for coastal area people. Due to the importance and abundance of the commercial gastropod species, Babylonia zeylanica that commonly occur in intertidal areas of Indian coasts; this study investigates the nutritive value of B. zeylanica. Identification and quantification of B. zeylanica were done by using standard methodology. The results of the present study provides not only the information about the composition but also recommended the consumption of this whelk B. zeylanica since they are rich in minerals, vitamins,. It could also be added that the consumption of marine gastropod is a nutritional assurance to millions of malnourished hungry people. The malnutrition problem in our country can be overcome by effective utilization of nutrient rich molluscan seafood. Overall, B. zeylanica was similar or superior to other marine shellfish and hence B. zeylanica could be utilized as an alternative meat source in human diet.