“Effects of Depuration on Nutrient Composition and Hydrocarbon Utilizing Fungi on Periwinkles Harvested from Polluted Creek in Elechi, River State:-Onyejiuwa Nicholas C

ABSTRACT

Periwinkles are mass consumer products which constitutes relatively cheap source of animal protein. They are invertebrates and they belong to the phylum mollusks, class gastropoda and speciefiiscatus. The phylum mollusks is known to radiate successful into a variety of habitat, the great majority of them are aquatic, some however are found mostly in shallow waters and sometimes in intertidal zones where they burrow into the mud in the beds ofthe river which serves as their habitat (Edna et al., 2016). Periwinkles are predominant in the coastal region. They are found in brackish waters in the Niger Delta region where its harvest forms an important local fishery industry (Edna et al., (2016) Periwinkles are harvested and also transported to many non-riverine towns and cities where they are used to prepare various palatable dishes in homes, restaurants and hotels (Edna et al., 2016).