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Middle East Journal of Science (2018) 4(1):45-51
45
INTERNATIONAL
ENGINEERING,
SCIENCE AND
EDUCATION
GROUP
Middle East Journal of Science
(2018) 4(1): 45 - 51
Published online JUNE, 2018 (http://dergipark.gov.tr/mejs)
doi: 10.23884/mejs.2018.4.1.06
ISSN:2536-5312
Received: January 16, 2018 Accepted: May 03, 2018
MOLLUSCS: THEIR USAGE AS NUTRITION, MEDICINE, APHRODISIAC,
COSMETIC, JEWELRY, COWRY, PEARL, ACCESSORY AND SO ON FROM THE
HISTORY TO TODAY
İhsan EKİN1*, Rıdvan ŞEŞEN2
1Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Şırnak University, Şırnak,
Turkey
2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
*Correspondence: e-mail: ekinihsan@gmail.com
Abstract:The present study has evaluated the usage and properties of the mollusca phylum from the
history to today. Many types of molluscs are eaten worldwide, either cooked or raw due to their rich
nutritional value. Furthermore, they are used as pearl, cowry and accessory materials, for tools like
household dishes, cooking pots and utensils such as a spoon, cutlery, scoops, spatulas, etc. Some of
them are destructive and caused ecological damage, some serve as intermediate hosts for human
parasites; some can cause damage to crops. Mollusc meat is known to be highly nutritious and
salutary owing to its high content of essential amino acids, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and
minerals. In addition, some of the bioactive compounds including antiviral, antimicrobial,
antiprotozoal, antifungal, antihelminthic and anticancer products are producing by molluscs as
medicines. The largest edible snail is African land snail Achatina achatina mostly consumed by
African people. Molluscs were very prominent dishes during the Roman Empire due to their
aphrodisiac effect. Some mollusc species include zinc and essential amino acids which keeping up
body energy and boost sex drive as an aphrodisiac, arrange immune system and makes bones
stronger. Pearls are highly esteemed bivalve products containing nacreous deposit composed of 82 -
86% calcium carbonate (aragonite crystals), 10-14% organic substance conchiolin and 2-4% water.
Cowry is amarine snail from genus Cypraea dwelling on mostly in coastal waters of the Indian and
Pacific oceans and used instead of money. Money cowry (Cypraea moneta), a 2.5cm yellow species,
has served as currency in Africa.
Keywords: Molluscs, Nutrition, Medicine, Cowry, Pearls,
1. Introduction
Phylum Mollusca is divided into seven classes; Aplacophora, Polyplacophora,
Monoplacophora, Gastropoda (Prosobanchia, Opisthobranchia, Pulmonata), Bivalvia (Protobranchia,
Lamellibranchia, Septibranchia), Scaphopoda (tusk shells) and Cephalopoda (Nautilodea,
Ammonoidea, Coleoidea). This phylum is the second largest phylum in numbers of species containing
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over 128.000 described species. They are ecologically widespread, dwelling on marine, freshwater,
terrestrial habitats, as well as gastropods, are successfully adapted to land. They can be great variety in
body size, roughly from 1 mm to 18 m. Many sorts of molluscs such as clams, scallops, snails, squids,
whelks, cockles, mussels, octopus, oysters, periwinkles, and winkles are consumed by humans from
historic times to today. Mankind has been deliberately culturing molluscs as food for a long time and
the earliest known records of someone farming molluscs for food come from Roman Empire.
2. Usage Areas of Molluscs and Their Benefits to Mankind
2.1. Nutritional contribution of molluscs for human diets
Human beings have eaten snails for thousands of years and nowadays snails are considered to
be common food consumed by millions of people worldwide, particularly in European countries [1, 2].
Additionally, the cephalopods which include the cuttlefishes, squids and the octopus are generally
operated for food fishes in most part of the world. In most of the countries, oysters and mussels are
used in the dishes and eaten as an aperitif meal. The largest edible land snail is the giant African land
snail Achatina achatina mostly consumed by African people. It can weigh up to 900 g and measure up
to 40 cm from snout to tail. In Turkey, Helix aspersa, Theba pisana, Eobania vermiculata, Cantareus
apertus, Helix asemnis, Helix cinctaand Helix lucorum are commercially important edible snails and
mostly exported to France, Greece, Germany, Italy and Spain [3-5]. Snail meat (escargot) is not only
tasty but also has several advantages over others: quite a low lipid rate and calorie values versus rich
mineral, essential amino acid and fatty acid content, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).
With higher omega-3 fatty acid content, snail meat is found being a factor affecting higher lifespan
and lower cancer rate in most of the countries. Calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt,
and iodine are the predominant minerals of molluscs’ flesh [3-5].
2.2. Products and metabolites obtained from molluscs as medicines
Molluscs used directly as a food source may also contribute to the prevention of disease by
providing essential nutrients, as well as immuno-stimulatory compounds and other secondary
metabolites with direct biological activity [6]. Most of the molluscs are the source of lipid bioactive
compounds offering a variety of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications [6]. Among them, the
PUFA omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid, (C20:5ω3), and docosahexaenoic acid
(C22:6ω3) are known for their beneficial effects on human health [4, 5, 7]. These PUFA ω3 fatty acids
are widely known for their capacities on cardio protection. They reduce triacylglycerol and cholesterol
levels and have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Numerous experiments on these animals
confirmed the cancer preventive properties of PUFA ω3 fatty acids from marine sources [7, 8].
The deadly venoms of some Cone shells (Conidae) are today being used to help victims of
strokes and heart disease, and to produce a revolutionary new drug for chronic pain control called
Ziconotide. An extract from the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria L. is a strong growth inhibitor of
cancers in mice. The drug is called Mercenine. Ground and processed oyster shells are used as
calcium supplements both for humans and animals. Paolin, a drug made of abalone juice, is an
effective inhibitor of penicillin-resistant strains of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella typhus. Oyster juice has been found to have antiviral effects and
may be made into a drug eventually [9]. The venom of Cone snails used for hunting their prey can be
dangerous, even lethal for humans. The venom is a neurotoxin and being studied for use in medicine.
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Since its toxin paralyzes the prey, it is being used to help patients with chronic pain, and it also shows
promise in treating epilepsy in the future [9].
2.3. Aphrodisiac effect of bivalves
The interactions between man and snails have been recognized from the earliest times. These
interactions became very prominent during the height of the Roman Empire when it was a common
practice to eat snails in the courts of the Emperor where they are used as an aphrodisiac [10]. The
researchers have analyzed bivalve molluscs, particularly oysters and realized that they are rich in rare
amino acids which trigger sex hormones level increasing. Most of the edible oysters are known as
aphrodisiac sources. Aplysia dactylomela, a species of local sea slug is also aphrodisiac effect in the
human body [11]. In some traditional place, people consume A. dactylomela raw to warm up their
bodies before going to the sea [12]. Furthermore, it is believed that A. dactylomela contains a high
level of steroids hormones [13]. On the other hand, oysters are rich in zinc, which is one of the
essential minerals and might have been associated with improving sexual potential in men. Adequate
zinc is needed for sperm production and hormone metabolism. Oyster efficacy is yet to be
scientifically validated before claiming that oysters have the aphrodisiac effect due to their
pharmacological properties [14].
2.4. Cosmetic industry uses molluscs for products
Snail and slug have been used sporadically as skin treatments since the time of the Ancient
Greeks. Hippocrates reportedly recommended the use of crushed snails to relieve inflamed skin and
some 20 years ago as well as the potential of snail slime was noted by Chilean snail farmers who
found that skin lesions healed quickly, with no scars, when they handled snails for the French food
market. This investigation resulted in the production of "Elicina", a Chilean snail slime-based product
[15]. In 2010, Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream, claiming that its 70% snail extract, soothes regenerates
and heals skin. Snail slime based products are claimed to be the new miracle face-fixer in the U.S
where they are used to treat acne, reduce pigmentation and scarring, and combat wrinkles [15]. Slugs
are used in Italy to treat dermatological conditions. Mucus collected from a slug is rubbed onto the
skin to treat dermatitis, inflammations, acne and to promote wound healing and used for the treatment
of warts. Mucus from a live slug is first rubbed onto the wart and then the slug is hung out in the
sunshine to dry out and die. It is believed that once the slug has dried up, the wart disappeared [16].
2.5. Pearls as precious jewelry obtained from molluscs
Conchifera is the subphylum of molluscs that produce pearls. Although none of the molluscs
within the Conchifera subphylum can produce pearl-like formations, actually Bivalvia class of mollusc
is the outstanding group for the formation of pearls. Meanwhile, some gastropods and cephalopods
species also produce pearls. Although the shell of each mollusc is significant for identification of pearl
formation, it is actually the inner soft body (mantle) of the mollusc that scientifically defines the
species for the pearl. Black pearls are very expensive and come from Pinctada margaratifera showing
a wide range of color and luster, which are the most important characteristics determining their
commercial value. This variation is probably to be influenced by both environmental and genetic
factors. The latter may depend on the recipient oyster, but professional grafters commonly consider
that the color and luster of pearl is often related to the phenotypic properties of donor oyster [17].
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Pearls are highly esteemed bivalve product containing nacreous deposit composed of 82 - 86%
calcium carbonate (aragonite crystals), 10-14% organic substance conchiolin and 2-4% water. They
are produced when a tiny particle of sand or grit is trapped between the mantle and the shell; the
animal forms a protective cover around the irritant. The substance used to form this covering, the
pearl, is made from the iridescent material that lines the interior of the shell. It is called nacre or
aragonite. Some of the pearls used as valuable jewelry are made by natural pearl oysters and
freshwater mussels, however, most of the ones traditionally sold are cultured and not wild [18].
2.6. Ancient money cowry and accessories from mollusc shells
Cowry comes from genus Cypraea, family Cypraeidaea and has hard humped thick, colorful
and glossy shell. It occurs dominantly in coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. The 10
cm golden cowry (Cypraea aurantium) was traditionally worn by royalty in Pacific Islands, and
the money cowry (Cypraea moneta), a 2.5 cm yellow species, has served as currency in Africa and
elsewhere [19]. Cowry is called the kabttaj (Maldives), kauri (Bengal), kaudi (Hindi), kaoli (Chinese),
kavari (Martha) and cowry (English) and it is believed that it has been the first universal money. It has
lasted longer than any other in human history so far. Prior to being globally distributed on a large
scale, it was a scare and valuable item. Imitations of this shell have been made of wood, stone, jade,
other semi-precious stones, bone, bronze and even silver and gold. Marco Polo told of the cowry being
used as currency in many regions across Eurasia. Today, cowries are still used as currency in Ethiopia
and other remote corners of Africa [20].
Additionally, mollusc shells are sometimes used as ornaments in homes and workplaces being
decorative items as well as valuable habiliments in tribes by ladies and men. Furthermore, they are
used as accessory materials, for tools like household dishes, cooking pots and utensils such as a spoon,
cutlery, scoops, spatulas, etc. Some shells are often collected because of their great beauty. The more
rare and beautiful the mollusc, the more coveted is its shell. Unfortunately, collectors usually kill these
species so as to get its shell. This has resulted in many of the rare and unusual mollusc's species
becoming endangered.
2.7. Byssus from bivalve processed for valuable thread and fabric
Mussels attach to the substratum by means of a byssus, which is an extracellular, collagen
structure secreted by the foot. It is believed to be the finest fabric known to Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
If treated properly with lemon juice and spices, the remarkable material shines when exposed to the
sun. It is also incredibly light, for this reason, the wearer cannot even feel it touching the skin. It is said
to be as thin as a spider web, resistant to water, acids, and alcohols. Byssus fibers produced by mussels
are tough biopolymers composed mainly of proteins and water. These natural biopolymer fibers have
been intensively studied owing to their mechanical and adhesive properties. The extraordinary
strength, unmatched toughness, and extensibility of byssus fibers allow mussels to withstand the large
and repetitive forces produced by waving and crashing. They are composed of three collagen proteins
that make up the bulk of the thread core. Their toughness is considered six times greater than that of
the human tendon collagen and comparable with that of Kevlar and carbon fibers [21]. Nowadays, rare
fabric production from byssus in some places is present, however, the cost of the fabric and thread are
very expensive.
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2.8. Cleaning the water for better environment via bivalves
Each oyster filters about 30 to 50 gallons of water a day. Think of how much water a whole bed
of those awesome bivalves is cleaning, which makes these not only tasty creatures but good for the
environment ones as well. In many lakes, rivers, seas and water pools, the bivalves filter the water and
make them as a clean environment for other living creatures. Mussels and clams are clean up the
polluted waters by microorganisms. Bivalves serve as tiny water filtration systems, constantly sieving
the water around them in their hunt for a meal of bacteria or microscopic algae known as
phytoplankton. As they filter water, their tissues absorb some of the chemicals and pathogens that are
things like protozoan, herbicides, pharmaceuticals and flame retardants [22].
2.9. Qualified dyes, ink and glues obtained from molluscs
In ancient times, dyes were made from various molluscs. The most famous was from Bolinus
brandaris, a gastropod, from which Tyrian or imperial purple was obtained. Its common name is the
purple dye Murex. Purple was indeed extracted from the marine gastropod mollusc "murex", which
has a spiny shell and lives near the coasts of Mediterranean Sea, length up to 8 cm for the largest
species. To extract the dye, shells were broken and the molluscs were macerated in basins. The
obtained dye could vary from pink to violet through crimson by using different sun-drying times.
Because of resistance to the dye and difficulty in harvesting the animal, purple fabrics were expensive
and highly estimated. They were only used for the cloth of noblemen, kings, priests, and judges. The
purple color, similar to blood, became a sign of temporal and spiritual power. Under the Roman
Empire, the chief commanders of the armies wore the "paludamentum", a purple coat. However,
nowadays, the main component of the dye can easily be obtained through chemical synthesis [23].
Recently, the threads that some mussels (Mytilidae) use to attach themselves to rocks, piers, and
other hard surfaces are being tested as possible glue in surgery [9]. Additionally, many cephalopod
molluscs living in low-light or dark conditions, including the deep sea produce ink, actually for
hunting and protection. The ink sac is present at hatching, so even at a small size and young age.
Cephalopod ink is composed of secretions from two glands. The ink sac with its ink gland produces a
black ink containing melanin, and most of the cephalopod ink comes from this part. A second organ,
the funnel organ, is a mucus-producing gland that is much more poorly studied [24].
2.10. Inspiration from molluscs for surgical studies
Scallops have rings of bright blue eyes around the edges of their shells, though they can actually
only detect light and dark. However, their eyes have inspired research into various ways of seeing and
optical devices Since the axons of the nerve cell of cephalopods are larger than other creatures, many
experiments related to nervous system disorders are conducted on these axons. Side effects of some
medicines are determined by trying on mollusc species and then their usage is presented and
controlled.
The new adhesive combines the positively charged polymers found in slug go with hydrogels,
forming a bond, and the resulting substance is a strong adhesive that can stick to skin, cartilage,
arteries, and other types of living tissues without the issues that current medical glues have. Currently,
used products can be easily dislodged, can be toxic to certain tissues, and may become brittle. The new
glue shows greater strength than the current generation of surgical adhesives, and crucially, (can
stretch to 14 times its original size before failing), and sticks slowly over a period of time, which
Middle East Journal of Science (2018) 4(1):45-51
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facilitates easy repositioning if needed. Also, the new product demonstrated low toxicity to living
tissue. The adhesive is not commercially available yet but shows the incredible potential in something
as insignificant as a garden slug [25].
3. Conclusion
Molluscs are extremely important members of many ecological communities, ranging in
distribution from terrestrial mountain tops to the hot vents and cold seeps of the deep sea. They can
range in size from twenty-meter long giant squid to microscopic aplacophorans, a millimeter or less in
length, that live between sand grains. Besides having tasty nutritional parts, molluscs often have
valuable hard parts as shells and pearls. These creatures have been important to humans throughout
history as a source of nutrition, biomolecules, secondary metabolites, cosmetics, medicine, jewelry,
tools, pearls, currency, musical instruments, fabric and etc. In recent times, we have heard alarming
news about these creatures. If serious measures related to their protection are not taken, a majority of
these creatures can be exhausted in the future.
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