Determination of some metal contents in ashed and unashed snail shell powders

This work was aimed at investigating the metal contents of ashed and unashed shell powders of snail (Achatina fulica). The snails were collected and treated according to the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM D482-91). Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) in the ashed and unashed snail shell powder was determined. The result showed that the concentration of the metals in the unashed snail shell powder was higher than that of the ashed powder. The differences in the concentration of the metals was linked to the effect of ashing on the formation of silicates of the metals at high temperature (800 °C). At very high temperature, Ca (in the form of calcium carbonate) had very high concentration in both the ashed and unashed snail shell powder. This indicates that snail shell powder can be used as filler in paper industry to improve the paper opacity, or in the cosmetic industry as face powder.