Effects of essential oil nanoemulsion supplementation on growth, meat quality, and digestive gland histology of farmed Cornu aspersum maximum

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of essential oil nanoemulsion-enriched diets on feed acceptability, growth performance, proximate composition, and digestive gland histology of farmed Cornu aspersum maximum. Methods: A total of 2,000 juvenile snails were divided into four dietary treatments for a two-month feeding experiment. The control group received a commercial poultry feed, while the experimental groups were fed the same diet supplemented with an essential oil nanoemulsion at concentrations of 1 mL/kg (T1), 3 mL/kg (T2), and 5 mL/kg (T3). Eight samplings were conducted to measure snail diameter, weight, mortality, and feed residues. At the end of the experiment, fillet proximate composition and histopathological alterations of the digestive gland tissue were evaluated. Results: A tendency toward increased snail weight was observed across all treatments. Diet enrichment led to significantly higher fillet protein content across all treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3) compared to the control, while lipid content was highest in T1. Histopathological examination revealed enlargement of hepatic ducts in T1, apoptosis of digestive cells in T2, and necrosis of digestive and calcium cells along with thinned epithelium lining in T3. Conclusions: Dietary supplementation with essential oil nanoemulsion did not negatively affect snail growth and resulted in heavier snails with increased fillet protein content. However, histopathological evidence of toxicity rendered higher supplementation levels (T2 and T3) unsuitable. Enrichment at 1 mL/kg appears to be suitable for use in commercial snail farming.