Really odd conch question

[Digger54]

If you read this:
http://www.environmentdivision.info/features/queen_conch.pdf
you’ll find out how they use it.

I don't think the .pdf file describes the organ the poster refers to. I've seen guys dockside (either in Grenada or St. Vincent) with conch and pulling this same clear thing out of the conchs and slurping them down raw right on the spot.

Reminded me of clear spaghetti.

 

[Hank49]

'Crystalline style', which is part of the digestive tract, huh? And highly regarded in the Caribbean as an aphrodisiac? Well, that answers that, I suppose. Woody

It's not only the crystalline style that's considered an aphrodisiac. The whole conch (edible part) is regarded as one. I've eaten quite a few "syles" and, like Archman stated, they just taste like seawater and have the texture of undercooked spagetti.
A guy told me that the high level of zinc in oysters, conch and other marine invertibrates is what puts the "high octane in your tank". I have to say, conch does seem to.

 

[knotical]

I don't think the .pdf file describes the organ the poster refers to.

The part I was referring to is on the third page, under feeding. It says:
“The digestive system of the conch consists of a crystalline style and a flexible rod that is about five inches long and composed of microprotein gel. The style rotates against the gastric shield of the digestive tract as enzymes are released that digest the cellulose of the plants consumed by the conch. This cellulose digestion is also aided by a salivary gland and esophageal pouches.
The crystalline style of the conch is highly regarded in many Caribbean cultures as an aphrodisiac.”

Or from:
http://www.mda.cinvestav.mx/biblioteca/strombus/QueenConch_eng/o-glosario_in.htm
“CRYSTALLINE STYLE. Strombid Conchs as well as other Mollusks possess a gelatinous translucent rod, some 10 cms long, that may protrude from the visceral mass during cleaning procedure. In most Caribbean countries, this gelatinous rod is considered as aphrodisiac. In fact, it is the crystalline style which is an element of the digestive tract, secreted by the style sac which is an expansion of the stomach. It contains only digestive enzymes which are progressively dissolved in the stomach and takes part to the digestive process.”