Effect of Growth Medium Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Nutritional Composition of Lemna Minor (an Alternative Fish and Poultry Feed)

Abstract

Duckweed (L. minor) belongs to the family of aquatic macrophytes and grows profoundly on the surface of water reservoirs in polluted areas of Pakistan. The plant can be used as a potential alternative for the fish and poultry industry to comply with the promptly growing demand for feed. Our study investigates the effect of varying concentrations (ppm) of nutrients, like nitrogen (N), phosphorus(P) and their combination (NP) on the carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and mineral (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn & Zn) contents of the duckweed (L. minor). A substantial effect of varying concentrations of N, P and their combinations was seen on all the above-mentioned parameters. Higher protein, lipid, and carbohydrate contents were recorded for 30ppm NP, 20ppm NP, and 10ppm NP, respectively. Minerals contents (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn & Zn) increased by 20ppm in the case of phosphorus and all nitrogen concentrations. The combined application of NP was more effective in boosting up the protein, carbohydrate, and lipid content whereas less effective in increasing the mineral contents. The NP combinations affected all other parameters except the mineral contents. A decline in the concentration of (N) and (P) showed a negative correlation with the nutritional composition of the plant.

The Optimization of High-Protein Duckweed Cultivation in Eutrophicated Water with Mutualistic Bacteria

“…This can be attributed to the biochemical and metabolic functions of nitrogen and phosphorus. Additionally, nitrogen's impact on chlorophyll and photosynthetic activity may have contributed to thi s outcome (13).…”

“…The accumulation of nitrogen, phosphates, and other fertilizers in water is prone to eutrophication, a destructive process that can cause damage to the agricultural economy (11, 12). However, many studies highlight duckweed in the genus Lemna ’s ability to efficiently utilize excessive nutrients and adapt to a diverse range of environments, while also remediating pollutants in wastewater (13). Coupled with the use of mutualistic plant growth-promoting bacteria, known to increase the nutrient uptakes of plants via nitrogen fixation and safeguard plants against pathogens, duckweed may be a promising solution to reduce environmental impact while also yielding positive benefits during long-term cultivation (14, 15).…”

“…The accumulation of nitrogen, phosphates, and other fertilizers in water is prone to eutrophication, a destructive process that can cause damage to the agricultural economy (11,12). However, many studies highlight duckweed in the genus Lemna's ability to efficiently utilize excessive nutrients and adapt to a diverse range of environments, while also remediating pollutants in wastewater ( 13).…”

Feed Sustainability and Efficiency

“…The term "nonconventional feed resources" (NCFR) refers to all feeds that either are not typically utilized in commercially manufactured livestock rations or have not historically been used in animal feeding. NCFR generally includes a range of feeds derived from perennial crops as well as feeds with both animal and industrial origins [10]. Single-cell proteins, feed material made from agro-industrial byproducts of plant and animal origin, palm press fiber (an oil palm byproduct), pallet oil mill effluent, and other innovative sources of feedstuffs have all been referred to be NCFR.…”