Comparative Proximate Composition and Fatty Acid Profile of the Freshwater Apple Snail Pila Globosa During Active and Aestivation Periods

Abstract

Pila globosa , a freshwater apple snail widely consumed in South and Southeast Asia, represents a promising alternative source of high-quality protein and essential fatty acids. However, limited information is available on how physiological dormancy (aestivation) influences its nutritional composition and lipid profile. This study compared the proximate composition and fatty acid profile of P. globosa during active and aestivation periods to evaluate the biochemical adaptations associated with dormancy and their nutritional implications. Proximate composition and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analyses were performed using standard analytical methods. During the active period, carbohydrate was the predominant component (40.55%), followed by protein (32.00%), ash (18.21%), moisture (6.40%), and fat (2.84%). In contrast, aestivation was characterized by a marked decline in carbohydrate content, accompanied by increases in protein, ash, moisture, and a nearly threefold increase in fat content (7.97%), indicating the utilization of carbohydrate reserves and metabolic adjustment during prolonged food deprivation. Fatty acid analysis revealed that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) constituted the major lipid fraction during the active period (40.51%), followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, 29.36%) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs, 23.70%). Linoleic acid was the predominant PUFA, whereas oleic acid was the principal MUFA. During aestivation, the proportion of SFAs increased markedly, while MUFA and PUFA declined. PUFA declined from 40.51 to 15.55, resulting in a decrease in the PUFA/SFA ratio from 1.71 to 0.34 and in the n-6/n-3 ratio from 6.75 to 2.76. These findings demonstrate that P. globosa is a nutritionally valuable freshwater food resource rich in protein and essential fatty acids. Moreover, the pronounced biochemical alterations observed during aestivation reflect adaptive metabolic strategies for survival under adverse environmental conditions and highlight the importance of physiological state when evaluating the nutritional quality and optimal harvesting period of this species for human consumption.