Production potential of greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza (L. Schleiden) and its biochemical composition evaluation

Abstract

The culture technique of greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza (L. Schleiden) was standardized in outdoor tanks using three different manures: manure 1-cattle manure, poultry droppings and mustard oil cake, manure 2-urea, potash and triple superphosphate and manure 3-cattle manure, urea, potash and triple superphosphate. Significantly (p<0.05) higher production was recorded in manure 1 compared to others. Manure 1 was subsequently selected for pond culture. In ponds, the production of duckweed was 2020±150 kg ha-1 month-1 dry weight basis. Protein content was significantly higher (p<0.05) in duckweed cultured in manure 1. The amino acid profile study showed the presence of essential (37.4%), non-essential (58.2%) and free (4.5%) amino acids. Leucine, isoleucine and valine contributed 51.4% of total essential amino acids. Duckweed contained 7% lipid and α-linolenic acid (36-37%) was the major fatty acid. The study showed the nutritional value of duckweed as an animal feed ingredient.

Duckweeds: their utilization, metabolites and cultivation

“…Duckweeds are considered as novel ingredients to replace soybeans, thus reducing the burden of greenhouse gas emissions and alleviating the negative aspects of feed production [ 51 ]. The protein content of duckweeds grown in organic manure is very high, and utilization of duckweed as feed has been suggested as a solution to environmental issues related to manure purification and feed production [ 54 ]. Duckweeds are protein sources that could replace soybean meal and are expected to be used as substitutes to reduce environmental pollution created by expanding soybean cultivation.…”

“…The nine essential amino acids found in the duckweed species are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine and eleven non-essential amino acids, namely alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartate, cysteine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine, were also found in duckweeds (Table 6 ) [ 9 , 15 , 54 , 116 , 122 ]. Amino acid derivatives, such as citrulline, cystathionine, hydroxyproline, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and taurine, were also found (Table 6 ) [ 54 , 122 ].…”

“…The nine essential amino acids found in the duckweed species are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine and eleven non-essential amino acids, namely alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartate, cysteine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine, were also found in duckweeds (Table 6 ) [ 9 , 15 , 54 , 116 , 122 ]. Amino acid derivatives, such as citrulline, cystathionine, hydroxyproline, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and taurine, were also found (Table 6 ) [ 54 , 122 ]. Notably, the amino acid compositions of W. microscopica and Wolffiella hyalina are close to the content of lysine (30 mg/kg), sulfur amino acids (15 mg/kg) including cysteine and methionine, threonine (15 mg/kg), and tryptophan (4 mg/kg) required for adults per day according to WHO recommendations.…”

“…In mass production (> 500 mL), duckweeds are cultivated in artificial environments (bioreactors) or natural ponds, well water, dairy, and local wastewater [ 11 , 37 , 54 , 73 , 83 , 105 , 106 , 112 , 149 , 150 , 162 ]. Under optimal environment conditions, including wind protection, water nutrient concentration, and optimum duckweed density, duckweeds can produce biomass with a productivity of 10–30 tons/ha per year [ 6 , 151 ].…”

Duckweed protein supports the growth and organ development of mice: A feeding study comparison to conventional casein protein

“…Although the quantity of protein producible by duckweed is well documented, less work has been done on the quality of duckweed protein (DWP). Several studies have examined the amino acid composition of various duckweeds and concluded that based on its amino acid profile, the quality of DWP is suitable for consumption by fish, poultry, cattle, and humans (Appenroth et al., 2018; Hanczakowski et al., 1995; Sharma et al., 2019). Duckweed can also accumulate trace minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe) which are often deficient in the feed available to small livestock farmers (Leng, 1999), as well as micronutrients (iodine and vitamin A) which are commonly deficient in the diets of malnourished people (Valdimirova & Georgiyants, 2014).…”