Lemnaminor L is a water plant of the genus Lemna in ponds and lakes around the world. The ventral surface is pale green to grayish green. Many people mistake it for seaweed plants. The growth rate of duckweed is super fast, and the extraordinary growth rate makes it multiply and multiply in two days. It can cover the entire water surface quickly, and it only needs weak sunlight. During the growth process, duckweed converts large amounts of carbon dioxide into available oxygen.
Duckweed has been in Southeast Asia for hundreds of years, and because of its high protein content (more than 45% of dry matter), it is also known as “vegetable meatballs.” The plant has also been shown to contain a good protein balance with an amino acid structure similar to that of an egg, containing nine essential amino acids. At the same time, duckweed contains polyphenols such as phenolic acids and flavonoids (including catechins), dietary fiber, iron and zinc minerals, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, and a small amount of plant-derived vitamin B12.
Compared to other terrestrial plants such as soybeans, kale or spinach, duckweed protein production requires only a small amount of water, does not require large amounts of land, and is highly environmentally sustainable. At present, the market-based duckweed products mainly include Hinoman’s Mankhai and Parabel’s Lentein, which grow almost without water and soil. In terms of nutritional value, high levels of all essential amino acids and branched chain amino acids are helpful in accelerating muscle growth.
Lentein can be used in milkshakes, protein powders, nutritional bars and other products. Clean Machine®’s Clean Green ProteinTM protein powder product contains this material, which has the same performance advantages as whey protein. Unlike Lentein, Mankai is a full-food ingredient that does not separate from protein isolates or concentrates and has passed self-identified GRAS. As a fine powder, it can be added to baked products, sports nutrition products, pasta, snacks, etc., and its taste is milder than spirulina, spinach and kale.
Mankai duckweed is an aquatic plant known as the world’s smallest vegetable. At present, Israel and several other countries have adopted a closed hydroponic environment that can be planted all year round. A number of studies have shown that Mankai duckweed may become a top-quality healthy and sustainable food ingredient, and this protein-rich plant has great potential for growth in the health and wellness markets. As an emerging alternative source of vegetable protein, Mankai duckweed may have potential postprandial hypoglycemic and appetite suppressing effects.
Recently, researchers at the Ben Gurion University (BGU) in Negev, Israel, conducted a randomized, controlled, crossover trial that showed that this protein-rich aquatic plant helps control blood sugar levels after carbohydrate intake. The trial identified the plant as having great potential to become a “superfood.”
In this study, the researchers compared Manki duckweed shakes with equal amounts of carbohydrates, protein, fat and calories. After two weeks of monitoring with a glucose sensor, participants who drank duckweed shakes showed a significant response in a range of health measures, including lowering glucose peak levels, fasting blood glucose levels, late peak hours, and faster Glucose is discharged. The study also found that the duckweed milkshake had a slightly higher satiety than the yogurt shake.
According to market data from Mintel, between 2012 and 2018, the number of new products in the United States that referred to “plant-based” foods and beverages increased by 268%. With the rise of vegetarianism, animal friendliness, animal husbandry antibiotics, etc., consumer demand for vegetable milk has shown an explosive trend in recent years. Safe, healthy and mild vegetable milk has begun to be favored by the market, almonds and oats. Almonds, coconuts, etc. are the more mainstream plant milk, and oats and almonds are the fastest growing.
Nielsen data shows that in 2018 plant milk has seized 15% of the US dairy retail market, with a volume of $1.6 billion, and is still growing at a rate of 50% per year. In the UK, plant milk has also maintained a 30% market growth rate for years, and was included in the CPI statistics by the government in 2017. Compared to other vegetable milks, water lentils (Lemidae) milk is more competitive in the market for its high protein and growth sustainability, and its biomass can double in 24-36 hours and harvest every day.
Based on the rapid development of the vegetable milk market, Parabel launched the LENTEIN Plus product in 2015, a water lentil protein concentrate containing about 65% protein and a large amount of micro and macro nutrients. The company is also researching a protein content of up to 90%. % of the isolated protein, as well as a raw material that does not have the “green” hue of the duckweed itself. Duckweed has a higher amino acid content than any other vegetable protein, including soy. It has a very good taste. This protein is soluble and has a foam, so it is added to beverages, nutrition bars and snacks.
In 2017, Parabel launched Lentein Complete, a source of lentil protein, an allergen-free protein component with an amino acid structure that contains more essential amino acids and BCAA than other plant proteins, including soy or peas. This protein is highly digestible (PDCAAS.93) and is also rich in Omega3, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Its nutritional value is superior to superfoods such as spirulina and chlorella. Currently, Parabel has 94 patents for the extraction and final use of plant proteins from water lentils (Lemidae), and in 2018 received general GRAS certification from the US FDA.
Post time: Aug-30-2019