Nutritional Characterization and Bioactive Potential of Dehydrated Duckweed (Lemna minor) for Food and Feed Applications

Introduction: As the global demand for sustainable and alternative nutrient sources grows, aquatic plants such as duckweed (Lemna minor) have emerged as promising candidates for both human nutrition and animal feed. This study aims to characterize the nutritional profile, mineral content, and antioxidant properties of dehydrated L. minor to evaluate its potential as a functional ingredient.

Materials and Methods: L. minor was grown in outdoor ponds under controlled conditions- After harvesting, it was sun-dried. Dehydrated samples were analyzed to determine their proximate composition (moisture, ash, fat, protein, and fiber) using standardized methods. Its mineral profile was quantified by ICP-MS, and the fatty acid profile by GC. Additionally, polyphenolic compounds were identified using HPLC, and the antioxidant capacity was measured through ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays.

Results: Proximate analysis revealed a high fiber content of 58.86±3.02 g/100g and a significant protein fraction of 14.11±0.34 g/100g. The mineral profile was notably rich in potassium (4177.45±337.80 mg/100g), calcium (1434.01±73.02 mg/100g), and phosphorus (931.27±59.74 mg/100g). The fatty acid profile was dominated by palmitic acid, with a balanced ratio of linoleic acid (n-6) to α-linoleic acid (n-3). A diverse polyphenolic profile was identified, with Apigenin glycoside-4 (627.11±29.37 µg/100g) and Kaempferol glycoside-6 (523.85±8.05 µg/100g) being the most abundant compounds. Consequently, the samples exhibited robust antioxidant activity, particularly in the FRAP assay (11.84±0.71 mg Trolox equivalent/g).

Conclusions: Dehydrated Lemna minor represents a dense source of essential minerals, dietary fiber, and bioactive polyphenols. Its significant protein content and strong antioxidant potential suggest it is a highly viable and sustainable alternative for enriching animal diets or developing functional food products for human consumption.