Sustainable heliciculture of Otala tingitana in controlled environments using plant-based feed supplements

Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plants offer sustainable alternatives to conventional feed additives in heliciculture. In this study, we evaluated dietary inclusion (3% w/w) of Rosmarinus officinalis , Origanum compactum and Thymus zygis subsp. gracilis in Otala tingitana reared under controlled conditions ( n = 360). Plant preparations were characterized for proximate composition, total phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity (DPPH) and antibacterial activity. Over a 142-day trial, supplemented diets maintained comparable final body weight and shell length to controls while enhancing growth rate during the exponential phase and improving feed conversion efficiency, particularly with R. officinalis . Dietary supplementation substantially reduced cumulative mortality (4.4% vs. 22.4% in control) and accelerated sexual maturation (>93% vs. 75.6% in control). Microbiological analyses of snail flesh revealed significant reductions in total aerobic counts, coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus ; while Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. were not detected. These outcomes indicate that 3% inclusion of the tested Moroccan medicinal plants improves survival, growth efficiency, and hygienic quality of O. tingitana without adverse effects on somatic development. Adoption of such phytobiotic supplements could enhance sustainability and food safety in heliciculture; future studies should optimize formulations, elucidate modes of action and assess long-term reproductive and ecological impacts. This work supports translational studies toward commercial feed applications.