4. Anthelmintic Effect of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Lam. in Wild-caught <i>Achatina achatina</i> Linnaeus, 1758 from the Sefwi Wiawso District, Ghana

Abstract

Parasitic infection in edible snail species such as Achatina achatina has the potential of reducing growth and requires investigation.This study assessed the anthelmintic effect of Moringa oleifera in A. achatina. Using dissecting and microscopic techniques, the proportion of parasitic infection in A. achatina group fed with M. oleifera was significantly lower than that of the control group (χ²(1) = 14.97; P = 0.0001). The mean parasite intensity recorded for the kidney of both treated (2.17) and control (3.33) groups of snails were significantly different (bootstrap t = 2.31; P = 0.041). Similar observation was made in the lung of treated (1.43) and control (3.14) snail groups (bootstrap t = 3.54; P = 0.005). However, no significant mean parasite intensity in the spermoviduct of treated (1.80) and control (1.96) snail groups was observed (bootstrap t = 0.475; P = 0.627). The results generally highlight anthelmintic value of M. oleifera in the control of parasites in A. achatina. Fresh foliage of M. oleifera may serve as useful addition to the feed of reared edible snails.