Processing techniques on phytochemical content, proximate composition, and toxic components in duckweed

ABSTRACT

Duckweed (Lemna minor L) is a rich source of nutrients that can be exploited to meet dietary requirements in humans. The study evaluated the effect of processing (blanching with sun drying, sun-drying, shade-drying) on proximate, phytochemical, and toxic composition in duckweed harvested from Oghara, Delta State Nigeria. Blanched-sun-dried samples had amounts of protein, ash matter, crude fiber, and ether extract, 29.96 ± 0.21, 14.63 ± 0.21, 27.10 ± 041, and 2.83 ± 0.33%, respectively, that were greater than fresh samples. The concentration of toxic, phytochemicals, and anti-nutritional compounds was <0.001–213 mg∙kg⁻¹, 0.83–58.55 mg∙g⁻¹, and 1.81–13.75 mg∙g⁻¹, respectively. Blanching with sun drying can be employed to concentrate nutrients in duckweed.

KEYWORDS:

• Lemna minor
• nutrients
• phytochemicals