by Peter Parker, International Aquafeed Magazine
First published in International Aquafeed, September-October 2015
Duckweed is the smallest flowering plant in the world. It is an aquatic plant often found in fresh water or wetlands in most parts of the world that do not freeze too frequently. Floating on or just below the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of water, many around the world perceive it as a pest, claiming it “clogs up lakes or ponds”.
However, duckweed is anything but a pest. It is in fact somewhat more of a super plant. Some people suggest that it has properties that are under-exploited, for example as a bio-fuel and as an effective bioremediator of wastewater. It is a potent fertiliser; and most importantly for the purposes of this article, it is a rich and sustainable source of protein with the potential for widespread use in animal feed, aqua feed, and as a food source for humans.
Duckweed expert Tamra Fakhoorian is a biologist, chemist, and co-founder of the International Lemna Association, of which she is the current executive director. Three years ago Ms Fakhoorian founded GreenSun Products, LLC, a company that has developed duckweed production systems and product lines for both pet and human nutrition.
Read the full interview in International Aquafeed HERE.
First published in International Aquafeed, September-October 2015
Duckweed is the smallest flowering plant in the world. It is an aquatic plant often found in fresh water or wetlands in most parts of the world that do not freeze too frequently. Floating on or just below the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of water, many around the world perceive it as a pest, claiming it “clogs up lakes or ponds”.
However, duckweed is anything but a pest. It is in fact somewhat more of a super plant. Some people suggest that it has properties that are under-exploited, for example as a bio-fuel and as an effective bioremediator of wastewater. It is a potent fertiliser; and most importantly for the purposes of this article, it is a rich and sustainable source of protein with the potential for widespread use in animal feed, aqua feed, and as a food source for humans.
Duckweed expert Tamra Fakhoorian is a biologist, chemist, and co-founder of the International Lemna Association, of which she is the current executive director. Three years ago Ms Fakhoorian founded GreenSun Products, LLC, a company that has developed duckweed production systems and product lines for both pet and human nutrition.
Read the full interview in International Aquafeed HERE.
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