Nutritional value of duckweeds (Lemnaceae) as human food.
Duckweeds have been consumed as human food since long. Species of the duckweed genera, Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiella and Wolffia were analysed for protein, fat, and starch contents as well as their amino acid and fatty acid distribution. Protein content spanned from 20% to 35%, fat from 4% to 7%, and starch from 4% to 10% per dry weight. Interestingly, the amino acid distributions are close to the WHO recommendations, having e.g. 4.8% Lys, 2.7% Met+Cys, and 7.7% Phe+Tyr. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was between 48 and 71% and the high content of n3 fatty acids resulted in a favourable n6/n3 ratio of 0.5 or less. The phytosterol content in the fastest growing angiosperm, W. microscopica, was 50mgg(-1) lipid. However, the content of trace elements can be adjusted by cultivation conditions. Accordingly, W. hyalina and W. microscopica are recommended for human nutrition.
University of Jena, Institute of General Botany and Plant Physiology, 07743 Jena, Germany. Electronic address: Klaus.Appenroth@uni-jena.de.
Klaus-J
KJ
Appenroth
Central University of Kerala, Department of Environmental Science, RSTC, Padannakad, Kerala 671314, India. Electronic address: ksowsree@gmail.com.
K Sowjanya
KS
Sree
University of Jena, Institute of Nutrition, Jena, Germany. Electronic address: Volker.Boehm@uni-jena.de.
Volker
V
Böhm
University of Hohenheim, Institute of Food Chemistry, Stuttgart, Germany.
Simon
S
Hammann
University of Hohenheim, Institute of Food Chemistry, Stuttgart, Germany. Electronic address: walter.vetter@uni-hohenheim.de.
Walter
W
Vetter
Thuringian State Institute of Agriculture, Jena, Germany. Electronic address: matthias.leiterer@tll.thueringen.de.
Matthias
M
Leiterer
University of Jena, Institute of Nutrition, Jena, Germany. Electronic address: b6jage@uni-jena.de.
Gerhard
G
Jahreis
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D029064:Araceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005504:Food Analysis; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013213:Starch / Q000032:analysis
D000596:Amino Acids; D005227:Fatty Acids; D011506:Proteins; D013213:Starch
Fatty acids; Landoltia; Lemna; Proteins; Spirodela; Wolffia; Wolffiella; duckweed