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A little floating plant with a few different species can give you this. Yes, I am talking about duckweed.
It can be on fed to chickens etc. It can be used as a fertilizer for the garden.
Getting enough protein from a small garden is not easy.
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Duckweed—tiny plants with huge potential
Friedrich Schiller University of Jena
Duckweed—tiny plants with huge potential
Duckweed has a huge potential as a human food source. Credit: Jan-Peter Kasper/FSU Jena
Researchers at the University of Jena (Germany), together with colleagues in India and Germany, have investigated the potential of various duckweeds as a human food source. The results, which are very promising, have been published under the title 'Nutritional value of duckweeds (Lemnaceae) as human food' in the leading journal Food Chemistry.
"Duckweeds can definitely serve as a source of protein in human nutrition," says Prof. Gerhard Jahreis of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. It is not without reason that duckweeds are dubbed 'green machines', the nutritional scientist adds. Jahreis explains that the protein content of duckweeds is comparable to that of lupins, rape or peas, with a protein yield of 30 per cent of dry weight. What is more, these tiny plants contain valuable omega-3 fatty acids such as stearidonic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Possible uses for duckweeds would be in the ever-popular smoothies or gluten-free baked goods.
"Duckweeds multiply very rapidly, but do not require any additional cultivable land," says Dr Klaus Appenroth, associate professor at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. In view of the decrease in areas of farmland, this gives duckweed a huge advantage over soya, for example. For thousands of years, duckweed species have been on the menu in Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. As a plant physiologist, Appenroth has dedicated nearly his entire research career at the University Jena to the tiny plants, and he has built up an extensive collection of Lemnaceae (commonly known as duckweeds or water lenses), among other things. He singles out in particular the species Wolffia globosa, which is served up in Asia in the form of soup, as a vegetable or in omelette. In the latest tests by the research group, Wolffia globosa showed itself to be the most promising.
Duckweed—tiny plants with huge potential
Klaus Appenroth (r.) and Gerhard Jahreis in a laboratory of the University Jena with a great collection of duckweed. Credit: Jan-Peter Kasper/FSU Jena
As yet these duckweeds have not been cultivated, but simply 'harvested' from bodies of water. However, there are some initial experimental facilities in Israel and the Netherlands, where duckweeds are produced on an industrial scale. Wolffia globosa measure only 0.7 to 1.5 mm, are oval in shape and rootless. They multiply so rapidly that in a short time they can cover the entire surface of a body of water. A further argument in favour of having these plants as part of the human diet is that duckweeds easily absorb trace elements that are dissolved in water. This means that with little expense and effort, they can be used to relieve deficiency symptoms due to malnutrition.
Other potential applications for duckweeds are fish farming and water purification. The minute plants could also be used for producing bio-ethanol.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-01-duckweedtiny-huge-potential.html#jCp
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Why You Should Consider Growing Duckweed At Home
Also known as Lesser Duckweed, this common plan is generally found floating on the surface of marshes, ponds, slow-moving streams and lakes. While this may be among the smallest flowering plants in the world, Duckweed features powerful nutrients ideal for not only your livestock, but also your family. If you’re searching for a natural, cost-effective and healthy alternative to livestock feed, and even as a protein supplement for your family, Duckweed may be what you’re searching for.
Duckweed as Livestock Feed
Farmers, both large and small, continually search for ways to reduce livestock feed expense without sacrificing nutrition. In the farming community, Duckweed has grown in popularity in use due to its easy cultivation methods and high nutritional profile.
Duckweed consists of:
35 to 43 percent of crude protein – around the same concentration as dried soybean meal
5 percent of polyunsaturated fats
5 to 15 percent of fibre
Tract amounts of: carotene, xanthophyll, vitamin A and a host of other nutrients
While the nutrient concentration of Duckweed is what draws some farmers, the ease of its growing and harvesting is its primary attraction. Under ideal growing conditions, such as a simulated and protected lagoon setting, this plant can double its size within a matter of 16 hours to two days. In an average setting, farmers may yield anywhere from 2 to 23 tons of dried plant matter per harvesting year. Its exceptional growth rate and massive harvest yields make Duckweed a viable option for most farmers.
Duckweed for Your Family
Due to its high protein content, many professionals in the realm of sustainable living have noted this plant as a potential life-saving food source should the modern food industry collapse. While its edible for human consumption, before serving this plant to your family, there are several points of interest you must take into consideration:
Duckweed Harvesting Conditions – Naturally grown Duckweed thrives in less-than-sanitary conditions, such as ponds rich with animal waste and bacteria. Due to this, only consume Duckweed cultivated in sanitary conditions, such as in a maintained pool of water.
Calcium Oxalate Concentration – Duckweed can feature 2 to 4 percent calcium oxalate concentrations, which can be toxic to humans. While the oxalate concentration may be controlled by its growing environments, duckweed harvested in the wild must be treated to reduce the oxalate level for safe consumption. Do so by boiling, roasting or sauteing the duckweed before eating.
Once you’ve harvested and prepared Duckweed, its tangy flavour, similar to watercress or spinach, it may be used in salads, sandwiches, soups or any other dish you’d typically find a leafy vegetable. Duckweed has been used for centuries as a food source in Asian cuisine. Experience the nutritional value and pleasant taste, but only after ensuring its safety by cultivating in clean grow areas or by properly cooking to kill harmful bacteria.
(Image from: Wikipedia)
https://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/why-you-should-consider-growing-duckweed-at-home/
It can be on fed to chickens etc. It can be used as a fertilizer for the garden.
Getting enough protein from a small garden is not easy.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Duckweed—tiny plants with huge potential
Friedrich Schiller University of Jena
Duckweed—tiny plants with huge potential
Duckweed has a huge potential as a human food source. Credit: Jan-Peter Kasper/FSU Jena
Researchers at the University of Jena (Germany), together with colleagues in India and Germany, have investigated the potential of various duckweeds as a human food source. The results, which are very promising, have been published under the title 'Nutritional value of duckweeds (Lemnaceae) as human food' in the leading journal Food Chemistry.
"Duckweeds can definitely serve as a source of protein in human nutrition," says Prof. Gerhard Jahreis of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. It is not without reason that duckweeds are dubbed 'green machines', the nutritional scientist adds. Jahreis explains that the protein content of duckweeds is comparable to that of lupins, rape or peas, with a protein yield of 30 per cent of dry weight. What is more, these tiny plants contain valuable omega-3 fatty acids such as stearidonic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Possible uses for duckweeds would be in the ever-popular smoothies or gluten-free baked goods.
"Duckweeds multiply very rapidly, but do not require any additional cultivable land," says Dr Klaus Appenroth, associate professor at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. In view of the decrease in areas of farmland, this gives duckweed a huge advantage over soya, for example. For thousands of years, duckweed species have been on the menu in Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. As a plant physiologist, Appenroth has dedicated nearly his entire research career at the University Jena to the tiny plants, and he has built up an extensive collection of Lemnaceae (commonly known as duckweeds or water lenses), among other things. He singles out in particular the species Wolffia globosa, which is served up in Asia in the form of soup, as a vegetable or in omelette. In the latest tests by the research group, Wolffia globosa showed itself to be the most promising.
Duckweed—tiny plants with huge potential
Klaus Appenroth (r.) and Gerhard Jahreis in a laboratory of the University Jena with a great collection of duckweed. Credit: Jan-Peter Kasper/FSU Jena
As yet these duckweeds have not been cultivated, but simply 'harvested' from bodies of water. However, there are some initial experimental facilities in Israel and the Netherlands, where duckweeds are produced on an industrial scale. Wolffia globosa measure only 0.7 to 1.5 mm, are oval in shape and rootless. They multiply so rapidly that in a short time they can cover the entire surface of a body of water. A further argument in favour of having these plants as part of the human diet is that duckweeds easily absorb trace elements that are dissolved in water. This means that with little expense and effort, they can be used to relieve deficiency symptoms due to malnutrition.
Other potential applications for duckweeds are fish farming and water purification. The minute plants could also be used for producing bio-ethanol.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-01-duckweedtiny-huge-potential.html#jCp
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Why You Should Consider Growing Duckweed At Home
Also known as Lesser Duckweed, this common plan is generally found floating on the surface of marshes, ponds, slow-moving streams and lakes. While this may be among the smallest flowering plants in the world, Duckweed features powerful nutrients ideal for not only your livestock, but also your family. If you’re searching for a natural, cost-effective and healthy alternative to livestock feed, and even as a protein supplement for your family, Duckweed may be what you’re searching for.
Duckweed as Livestock Feed
Farmers, both large and small, continually search for ways to reduce livestock feed expense without sacrificing nutrition. In the farming community, Duckweed has grown in popularity in use due to its easy cultivation methods and high nutritional profile.
Duckweed consists of:
35 to 43 percent of crude protein – around the same concentration as dried soybean meal
5 percent of polyunsaturated fats
5 to 15 percent of fibre
Tract amounts of: carotene, xanthophyll, vitamin A and a host of other nutrients
While the nutrient concentration of Duckweed is what draws some farmers, the ease of its growing and harvesting is its primary attraction. Under ideal growing conditions, such as a simulated and protected lagoon setting, this plant can double its size within a matter of 16 hours to two days. In an average setting, farmers may yield anywhere from 2 to 23 tons of dried plant matter per harvesting year. Its exceptional growth rate and massive harvest yields make Duckweed a viable option for most farmers.
Duckweed for Your Family
Due to its high protein content, many professionals in the realm of sustainable living have noted this plant as a potential life-saving food source should the modern food industry collapse. While its edible for human consumption, before serving this plant to your family, there are several points of interest you must take into consideration:
Duckweed Harvesting Conditions – Naturally grown Duckweed thrives in less-than-sanitary conditions, such as ponds rich with animal waste and bacteria. Due to this, only consume Duckweed cultivated in sanitary conditions, such as in a maintained pool of water.
Calcium Oxalate Concentration – Duckweed can feature 2 to 4 percent calcium oxalate concentrations, which can be toxic to humans. While the oxalate concentration may be controlled by its growing environments, duckweed harvested in the wild must be treated to reduce the oxalate level for safe consumption. Do so by boiling, roasting or sauteing the duckweed before eating.
Once you’ve harvested and prepared Duckweed, its tangy flavour, similar to watercress or spinach, it may be used in salads, sandwiches, soups or any other dish you’d typically find a leafy vegetable. Duckweed has been used for centuries as a food source in Asian cuisine. Experience the nutritional value and pleasant taste, but only after ensuring its safety by cultivating in clean grow areas or by properly cooking to kill harmful bacteria.
(Image from: Wikipedia)
https://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/why-you-should-consider-growing-duckweed-at-home/
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