International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202Vol. 2(1), 61-63, January (2013) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 61 Short Communication The Effect of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Leaf Extract on Longevity of Snails (Achatina achatina)Ufele A.N., Nnajidenma U.P., Ebenebe C.I., Mogbo T.C., Aziagba B.O. and Akunne C.E. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, NIGERIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in Received 25th April 2012, revised 18th May 2012, accepted 28th August 2012Abstract The research was interested in finding out if the neem leaves can serve as a molluscide. In this experiment 240 Achatina achatina were used. Twenty snails were randomly selected and placed in each green house representing a treatment. There were four groups. Group 1 served as control without any neem leaf. Group 2 received 100% of the neem leaves extract. Group 3 received 70% of the extract while the group 4 received 50% of the extract. The extraction of the neem leaves was done using alcohol as extracting reagents using cold maceration method of extraction. The experiment lasted for eight days and replicated three times. The result obtained was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P0.05. There was significant difference P0.05 in the longevity of the snails in different treatments. This indicates that the neem leaves are molluscides. Keywords: Azadirachta Indica, Achatina achatina, longevity. IntroductionSnails farming is one of the most lucrative and prolific farming in recent times. This has raised the interest of improving the culturing and rearing of snails within Nigeria to increase protein intake through eating snail meat. Snails are herbivores but not all vegetative sites are suitable for the rearing of snails even though snails thrive well in vegetative environment as herbivores. There are some herbs or vegetations which could have adverse effect on the rearing of snails. In some countries like U.S.A where snails are been considered as pests, they grow these vegetations or herbs that will help to eradicate the pest without pollution of the environment. In Nigeria, where snails are considered as food, these vegetations or herbs that have adverse effect on the snails should be avoided. Neem tree, Azadirachta Indica is a native of India. It has pesticidal and medicinal properties. Neem tree is acknowledged to be the most effective and environmental friendly source of pest inhibitors. The main active ingredient of Neem is Azadirachtin, a tetranotriterpenoid. Neem tree products are used in many medicinal and agricultural purposes. It is largely relied on for herbal medicine in its ingrained countries and is used in many pharmaceutical and cosmetic products as well as pest control in homes. A paste made from the leaves has been found to an efficacious treatment for skin injuries. Small parts of leaves assorted with regular feed seem to affect intestinal parasites in livestock. Material and MethodsExtraction of Neem Leaves: The method of extraction used was the Cold Maceration Method. The dried leaves were blended into powder and one liter of ethanol was used as extracting reagent. Homogeneity of the mixture was ensured by stirring the mixture at intervals and the mixture was allowed to stay for 3 days for maximum extraction before filtration was done. The filtrate was heated in a round bottom flask balanced on a hot water bath, this made the extract concentrated. Treatment of Snails with Extracts: Four green houses were made for the treatments into which twenty A. achatina were placed in each house. The floor of green house 1, contained 4kg of heated and cooled soil without any extract. The floor of green house 2 contained 4kg of heated and cooled soil with 100ml of 100% extract. The floor of green house 3 contained 4kg of heated and cooled soil with 100ml of 70% of the extract while green house 4 contained 4kg of heated and cooled soil with 100ml of 50% of the extract. The data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means for the various treatments were compared for significant differences (P0.05) using SPSS software package. Results and DiscussionUsing table 1, it was observed that there was significant difference (P 0.05) in all the snails in different treatments. Figure 1 shows that snails in the green house 1 (control) did not die, they had the highest longevity followed by those in green house 4 which were treated with 50% extract. Snails is green house 2, that is those treated with 100% extract had the lowest longevity followed by those in green house 3, that is those treated with 70% extract. This shows that neem leaves act as molluscides. International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 2(1), 61-63, January (2013) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 62 From the results obtained it was observed that neem leaves are molluscides at high concentrations. The effect of neem leaf extract on snails A. achatina as shown in the result indicated that the leaves had poisonous elements that can destroy the systems of the snails despite that Akinusi stated that immune system of snails are strong. The above result supports that there are some herbs or vegetations which could have adverse effect on the rearing of snails as stated by Amusan and Omidiji. It has pesticidal and medicinal properties. The result obtained coincides with Anon, research who stated that neem tree is acknowledged to be the most effective and environmental friendly source of pest inhibitors. Table-1 ANOVA of longevity of snails treated with different concentrations of neem extract ANOVA Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. control Between Groups .000 8 .000 . . Within Groups .000 18 .000 Total .000 26 100% extract Between Groups 1056.000 8 132.000 1188.000 .000 Within Groups 2.000 18 .111 Total 1058.000 26 70% extract Between Groups 1260.519 8 157.565 54.542 .000 Within Groups 52.000 18 2.889 Total 1312.519 26 50% extract Between Groups 708.667 8 88.583 72.477 .000 Within Groups 22.000 18 1.222 Total 730.667 26 Figure-1 Longevity Mean Conclusion 10152025control100% extract70% extract50% extractconcentration of extract Number of survived snails control 100% extract 70% extract 50% extract International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 2(1), 61-63, January (2013) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 63 Using the above result one can say that in some Countries where the snails are seen as pest, they can use neem leaves to control them. But in Nigeria where snails are source of protein, neem plants should not be planted close to snail farm or use as bedding. References 1.Akinusi O., Introduction to snails and snail farming,Triolas Publishing Company, Abeokuta, 70 (2002)2.Amusan J.A. and Omidiji M.O., Edible land snails, A technical guide to soil farming in tropics, Verify Printers, Ibadan, 60 (1988)3.Baoanan Z.G., Documentation of terrestrial gastropods in Benguet province, Philippines, In Proceedings, 7th International Congress on Medical and Applied Malacology, Los Banos, Laguna (Philippines), Malacological Society of the Philippines, Inc. 21-24 (2002)4.Berger M.M., Can oxidative damage be treated nutritionally? Cl. Nutr. 24, 172–183 (2005)5.Anon, Giant African Snail Survey, Mollusck Action Plan Working Group, APHIS (1973)6.Bam M., Ferreira D. and Brandt E., Novel cyanomaclurin analogue from Peltophorum Africa-num phytochemistry, 27, 3704-3705 (1998)7.Anon, FAO/RLAC, Plant Quarantine Action Programme,Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Santiago, 21 (1989)8.Steel R.G.D. and Torrie J.H., Principles and procedures of statistics, McGraw-Hill, New York, 451 (1990)