Duckweed (Wolffia globosa)
Overview
Duckweed (Wolffia globosa), also known as Mankai, is a functional plant food providing bioavailable iron and true vitamin B12. Vitamin B₁₂ is also present in Wolffia globosa. See Mankai for detailed information.
Recipes
Substances
2 substances in this food
Iron
Oxygen transport; dopamine synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase cofactor)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Methylation; myelin; mitochondrial odd-chain FA metabolism
Preparation Notes
- Same as Mankai - functional plant with B12 and iron
- See Mankai for detailed information
Biological Target Matrix
| Biological Target | Substance | Therapeutic Areas | Mechanism of Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methylation | Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | Essential cofactor in remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, which is converted to S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe); works with B6, B2, and folate; contributes meaningfully to homocysteine reduction, especially in combination with omega-3 fatty acids | |
| Mitochondrial Support | Iron | Critical for oxygen delivery to the brain via hemoglobin; supports mitochondrial function and energy production | |
| Mitochondrial Support | Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | Crucial role in conversion of methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA, a key step in mitochondrial energy production; deficiency leads to buildup of methylmalonic acid and odd-chain fatty acids, which are neurotoxic | |
| Neurochemical Balance | Iron | Essential cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of tyrosine to dopamine; critical for catecholamine synthesis | |
| Neurochemical Balance | Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | Supports neurotransmitter production through methylation; essential for myelin synthesis |
References
- Vitamin B₁₂ (also present in Wolffia globosa) Kaplan et al. 2019