Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Profiles of Farmed and Wild Watermeal (<i>Wolffia globosa</i>)
This study assessed the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, phytosterol content, amino acids, and fatty acid profiles of watermeal cultivated under farm conditions (WF1) and harvested from natural environments (WF2 and WF3). WF1 exhibited the highest levels of protein (22.7%), dietary fibe...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1832 |
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| author | Nidthaya Seephua Parinya Boonarsa Hua Li Pornpisanu Thammapat Sirithon Siriamornpun |
| author_facet | Nidthaya Seephua Parinya Boonarsa Hua Li Pornpisanu Thammapat Sirithon Siriamornpun |
| author_sort | Nidthaya Seephua |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study assessed the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, phytosterol content, amino acids, and fatty acid profiles of watermeal cultivated under farm conditions (WF1) and harvested from natural environments (WF2 and WF3). WF1 exhibited the highest levels of protein (22.7%), dietary fiber (16.5%), total phenolic content (3.9 mg GAE/g DW), and total flavonoid content (5.0 mg QE/g DW). Chlorophyll and <i>β</i>-glucan contents were comparable across all samples. WF1 also showed the highest total amino acid content, while WF2 had the highest lysine and tryptophan levels. Although essential amino acid profiles were slightly below WHO/FAO/UNU reference values, watermeal remains a promising complementary plant protein source. Fatty acid analysis revealed a consistently high α-linolenic acid content (30%) across all samples, highlighting its value as a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids. Minor differences in amino acid and fatty acid profiles suggest an influence of environmental conditions. The most pronounced difference between the farmed and naturally sourced samples was observed in phytosterol content, which was highest in the farmed sample. Overall, despite variations in cultivation sources, watermeal consistently exhibits a rich nutritional profile, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable, nutrient-rich biomaterial for functional food applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-01ac3c9d34e6445fb7e690ee0ca8e57e |
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| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-01ac3c9d34e6445fb7e690ee0ca8e57e2025-08-20T01:56:24ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-05-011410183210.3390/foods14101832Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Profiles of Farmed and Wild Watermeal (<i>Wolffia globosa</i>)Nidthaya Seephua0Parinya Boonarsa1Hua Li2Pornpisanu Thammapat3Sirithon Siriamornpun4Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandDepartment of Food Technology and Nutrition, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandDepartment of Cuisine and Nutrition, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, ChinaFood Technology Program, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajabhat Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, ThailandDepartment of Food Technology and Nutrition, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandThis study assessed the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, phytosterol content, amino acids, and fatty acid profiles of watermeal cultivated under farm conditions (WF1) and harvested from natural environments (WF2 and WF3). WF1 exhibited the highest levels of protein (22.7%), dietary fiber (16.5%), total phenolic content (3.9 mg GAE/g DW), and total flavonoid content (5.0 mg QE/g DW). Chlorophyll and <i>β</i>-glucan contents were comparable across all samples. WF1 also showed the highest total amino acid content, while WF2 had the highest lysine and tryptophan levels. Although essential amino acid profiles were slightly below WHO/FAO/UNU reference values, watermeal remains a promising complementary plant protein source. Fatty acid analysis revealed a consistently high α-linolenic acid content (30%) across all samples, highlighting its value as a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids. Minor differences in amino acid and fatty acid profiles suggest an influence of environmental conditions. The most pronounced difference between the farmed and naturally sourced samples was observed in phytosterol content, which was highest in the farmed sample. Overall, despite variations in cultivation sources, watermeal consistently exhibits a rich nutritional profile, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable, nutrient-rich biomaterial for functional food applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1832alternative proteinchlorophyllphenolic acidphytosterolamino acidfatty acid |
| spellingShingle | Nidthaya Seephua Parinya Boonarsa Hua Li Pornpisanu Thammapat Sirithon Siriamornpun Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Profiles of Farmed and Wild Watermeal (<i>Wolffia globosa</i>) Foods alternative protein chlorophyll phenolic acid phytosterol amino acid fatty acid |
| title | Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Profiles of Farmed and Wild Watermeal (<i>Wolffia globosa</i>) |
| title_full | Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Profiles of Farmed and Wild Watermeal (<i>Wolffia globosa</i>) |
| title_fullStr | Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Profiles of Farmed and Wild Watermeal (<i>Wolffia globosa</i>) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Profiles of Farmed and Wild Watermeal (<i>Wolffia globosa</i>) |
| title_short | Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Profiles of Farmed and Wild Watermeal (<i>Wolffia globosa</i>) |
| title_sort | nutritional composition and bioactive profiles of farmed and wild watermeal i wolffia globosa i |
| topic | alternative protein chlorophyll phenolic acid phytosterol amino acid fatty acid |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1832 |
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