Nisachol Ruekaewma, Somkiat Piyatiratitivorakul and Sorawit Powtongsook

pp. 575 - 580

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a suitable culture system for the mass production of Wolffia globosa for human consumption. W. globosa was grown in five different culture systems (static, vertical aeration, horizontal surface agitation, system with
top water spraying and layer culturing system with top water spraying). Dry weight of W. globosa determined every 7 days
indicated that a horizontal surface agitation provided the highest mass of 42.94±2.17 g/m²
 and significantly difference with
others in 28 days (p<0.05). Twenty one days-culture of W. globosa in the horizontal circulation produced the highest yield of
1.52±0.04 g dry weight/m2
/d and was significantly higher than yields in other systems. Frond size of W. globosa in 7 days
culture was the biggest of all the culture systems; however, no significant difference was found among the culture systems.
The biomass had 48.2% protein with complete essential amino acids, 9.6% fat and 14.5% crude fiber with low bacterial
contamination.

Keywords

• culture system
• Wolffia globosa
• water meal
• duckweed
• mass culture