Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the rheological, biochemical, hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of Archachatina marginata (snail) mucin extract for possible use as a nutraceutical and nano biopharmaceutical material.
 Methods: Snail mucin was extracted with acetone and water, lyophilized and the biochemical, proximate and mineral analyses of the extracts were studied using standard methods. The rheological properties of the extracts (1, 2, 4 and 8 % w/v) and their emulsion-based preparations were evaluated. Other physicochemical properties and HLB values of the preparations were also determined.
 Results: Snail mucin extracts contained protein (84 %), fats (2.91 %) and carbohydrate (1.2 %) and showed significant nutraceutical composition (p < 0.05). Ash content of 4.21 and 4.12 % was obtained for water and acetone extracts, respectively. Moisture content was < 9 % for both the aqueous and nonaqueous mucin extracts. Potassium, calcium and phosphorus were present in high quantities in the extracts while iron, copper and zinc were in trace amounts (< 4 %). Mucin dispersions exhibited viscosity in the range of 0.89 to 0.93 cp. Water sorption and dry weight were higher in the acetone extract than in the aqueous extract. The HLB values, which ranged from 7 to 15, were within the acceptable values for material for nanobiopharmaceutical application, except that the acetone extract.
 Conclusion: Snail mucin exhibits good nutraceutical properties and also possesses good properties that render it a potential excipient for use in the formulation of drug delivery systems
Highlights
The use of biomaterial as a carrier in drug delivery systems to combat the barriers posed by drug molecules has attracted a lot of interest and investment [1]
Mucin is the major component of mucus and is the viscous secretion obtained from the goblet cells in the columnar epithelium lining found in all the organs exposed to the external environment
The results revealed that snail mucin extracted with water mucin had 84 % protein, 2.91 % fats and 1.2 % carbohydrate
Summary
The use of biomaterial as a carrier in drug delivery systems to combat the barriers posed by drug molecules has attracted a lot of interest and investment [1]. Mucin is the major component of mucus and is the viscous secretion obtained from the goblet cells in the columnar epithelium lining found in all the organs exposed to the external environment. These organs include the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, oculo-rhino-otolaryngeal tracts and the reproductive tract [3,4]. Mucin from snail has been well researched in the area of drug delivery as well as a carrier. There is need to carry out extensive research on the physicochemical characteristics of snail mucin extracted using different methods for possible pharmaceutical application
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