TITLE:
Functional Cookies Development Using Snail Powder as an Iron Fortificant and Its in Vivo Impact on Behavioral, Hematological, Histopathological and Oxidative Biomarkers in Anemic Rats
AUTHORS:
Claudia Egbe Agbor, Pauline Njukeng Mamekeu, Djemna Felicite Djieyep, Aduni Ufuan Achidi, Oben Ebob Ashu Arrey, Bernard Tiencheu
KEYWORDS:
Iron, Cookies, Snail, Anaemia, Histology, Archachatina marginata, Oxidative Stress, Haematology
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.7,
July
24,
2026
ABSTRACT: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) remains a pervasive health challenge especially among vulnerable populations such as adolescent girls, pregnant women and children. Snail meat contains high amounts of minerals especially iron and has demonstrated promising potential in the management of iron deficiency anaemia. Therefore, this study was undertaken to develop cookies rich in iron and other minerals needed to combat IDA. Cookies were prepared with a composite of wheat flour and snail meat (Archachatina marginata) flour. The mineral composition and organoleptic properties were conducted. For in vivo study, the antianaemic effect of the snail-rich cookies was investigated using 36 male albino rats, grouped into 6 rats per group. Groups 2 to 6 were administered 40 mg/kg body weight of phenylhydrazine (PHZ) to induce anaemia. Groups 1 and 2 received normal basal diet, group 3 received normal basal diet with FeSO4 (0.35 mg/kg), while groups 4, 5 and 6 received snail-rich cookies in different concentrations for 16 days and were sacrificed on day18, receiving food and water ad libitum. Using the Sensory and Iron desirability score, with 60% given to sensory properties and 40% given to iron, for commercial consumer purposes, F4 (30% snail flour), F5 (40% snail flour), and F6 (50% snail flour) were the samples selected from the 10 samples. The rats were sacrificed, and whole blood was collected for serum preparation, which was used for haematology and oxidative stress. Organs were collected, weighed and put in formalin for histopathological studies. Organ homogenates were also prepared and used together with serum for oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, GSH, CAT, SOD and NO). The results showed that the formulated cookies had improved micronutrient composition with high iron content. The results for the animal bioassay showed that the cookies restored blood parameters to normal levels in rats with IDA. A histological analysis suggested that the liver, kidney, heart and lungs morphology in the test groups became similar to that of the normal group. Furthermore, the cookies improved antioxidant activities in the serum, kidney, spleen, brain and liver. The level of free radicals significantly reduced with incorporation of snail cookies in the diets. In general, high substitution of the cookies exhibited the best effects in terms of iron supplementation and antioxidant activities. The present findings showed that the formulated cookies might be a potential new approach to solve IDA.