Mankai (Duckweed)

Photo source: Backyard Boss.

Overview

Mankai (Wolffia globosa, duckweed) is a functional plant food providing bioavailable iron and true vitamin B12, helping close vegan nutrient gaps.

Within the BRAIN Diet framework, precision sourcing of functional plant foods such as Mankai duckweed (iron, B12) helps narrow vegan nutrient gaps [1].

Key Nutritional Highlights

• Reports on protein bioavailability of Wolffia globosa duckweed, a novel aquatic plant – A randomized controlled trial [1]
• Mankai (Wolffia globosa, duckweed) is a functional plant food providing bioavailable iron and true vitamin B12, helping close vegan nutrient gaps. [1]
• Precision sourcing of functional plant foods such as Mankai duckweed (iron, B12) helps narrow vegan nutrient gaps.
• Mankai (Wolffia globosa, duckweed) is a functional plant food providing bioavailable iron and true vitamin B12, helping close vegan nutrient gaps.

Food Context

Synergies

• Part of functional food strategy

Preparation

• Can be consumed as powder, smoothie addition, or whole
• Important for vegan/vegetarian B12 and iron intake
• Supports nutrient density goals

Recipes

no recipes found

Nutrient Tables (per 100 g)

Bioactive compounds

Explicitly identified compounds, including individual fatty acids, with a defensible quantity or an explicit qualitative status. Asterisks (*) identify supplementary sources below. Unquantified or trace constituents are not automatically admitted to the Substances list.

Compound / class	Amount per 100 g	Notes
Iron	Present — quantity not established *	—
ALA	Present — quantity not established *	—

Source notes (supplementary):

• * Iron: Mankai (Duckweed) (Wolffia) is reported as an iron-containing duckweed in food-specific composition studies; USDA SR Legacy has no mankai record.
• * ALA: Mankai (Duckweed) contains alpha-linolenic acid in published duckweed analyses; USDA SR Legacy has no mankai record.

Reference intakes: US Dietary Reference Intakes for adults (19–50 years; using the higher of male/female values where they differ).

Data provenance (core / micronutrient panel): USDA FoodData Central

Substances

2 substances in this food

ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)

Essential omega-3 precursor; limited conversion to DHA/EPA

Iron

Oxygen transport; dopamine synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase cofactor)

References

[1] Vitamin B₁₂ (also present in Wolffia globosa). Kaplan & Zelicha 2019. Protein bioavailability of Wolffia globosa duckweed, a novel aquatic plant – A randomized controlled trial