Speaker
Description
Duckweeds are gaining attention as sustainable nutrient-rich biomass due to their exceptional capacity to accumulate proteins and carbohydrates. However, maximizing biomass production alone does not guarantee the preservation of nutritional quality after harvest. This study investigated both cultivation and post-harvest processing conditions for three duckweed species (Lemna minor, Spirodela polyrhiza, and Wolffia globosa) using a two-phase approach. During cultivation, single and sequential nutrient media with different nitrogen-to-phosphorus (N:P) ratios were evaluated over 12–28 days. Distinct species-specific responses were observed. L. minor achieved the highest relative growth rate (0.138 day⁻¹) and protein content (50.2% dry weight) under a sequential shift from a high to low N:P ratio (18:1 to 6:1). S. polyrhiza produced the highest protein concentration overall (51.7% dry weight) and performed best under prolonged cultivation at a low N:P ratio (6:1). In contrast, W. globosa exhibited slower growth (0.071 day⁻¹) but accumulated the greatest lipid content (6.2%) and carbohydrate content (52.4% dry weight) during extended cultivation at a high N:P ratio (18:1). Drying temperature significantly affected biochemical composition. Lower temperatures (40–50°C) better preserved protein integrity, maintaining protein yields of approximately 300–340 mg g⁻¹ while minimizing lipid oxidation. Higher temperatures (50–60°C) promoted degradation of non-carbohydrate components, increasing apparent carbohydrate concentrations (>400 mg g⁻¹) and enhancing anthocyanin extractability from approximately 12 to over 43 mg g⁻¹.These results demonstrate that species-specific nutrient management combined with low-temperature drying (40–50°C) is essential for preserving duckweed biomass quality and supporting large-scale, sustainable production systems
Keywords
Nutrient management; Protein preservation;
References
None
| Corresponding author email | chderekchan@usm.my; m.tsutsui@cs-i.co.jp |
|---|---|
| Scientific Session | Applications |
