Speaker
Description
Wolffia globosa has been consumed in Thailand and neighboring countries for
generations. However, its consumption declined substantially, partly due to limited
awareness of its nutritional properties and the unreliable availability of biomass. Prior to
2020, W. globosa was primarily harvested from natural ponds, resulting in low yields,
seasonal variability, and food safety concerns. The taxonomic and genetic diversity of
Wolffia and other duckweed genera in the region was also poorly understood.
Over the past decade, growing demand for plant-based proteins and wellness foods,
together with increasing recognition of duckweed as an alternative protein source, has
renewed interest in this tiny duckweed among Thai consumers. Driven largely by Thai
startups developing large-scale cultivation technologies, related food products ranging from
fresh ingredients to innovative health foods are now available in more than 300 shops and
restaurants nationwide. The Thai government has also established Good Agricultural
Practice (GAP) standards for W. globosa production and promoted public awareness of its
nutritional and health benefits. Currently, 150 farms are GAP-certified, producing an
estimated 500 tonnes of fresh biomass annually, with production projected to reach 3,000
tonnes in 2027.
The expansion of the industry has been accompanied by rapid growth in scientific
research. Duckweed-related publications increased from an average of 1.8 articles per year
during 2016–2020 to 9.25 during 2021–2024, followed by 39 publications in 2025 and 46 in
2026. These developments demonstrate the rapid emergence of Wolffia spp. as a high-value
crop and highlight Thailand’s growing role in advancing duckweed research and
commercialization.
Keywords
Wolffia, Cultivation, Applications, Translational research,
| Corresponding author email | metha.mee@mahidol.ac.th |
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