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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

• Precision sourcing of functional plant foods such as Mankai duckweed (iron, B12) helps narrow 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

Compound / class	Amount per 100 g	Notes
Iron	Present [2]	cultivated Wolffia globosa Mankai
ALA	Present [3]	Wolffia globosa biomass

Sources and limitations

• Iron: Reported in cultivated Wolffia globosa Mankai. [2]
• ALA: Contains alpha-linolenic acid; content varies with cultivation. [3]

Technical provenance

Source note 1

Iron: The Metabolomic-Gut-Clinical Axis of Mankai Plant-Derived Dietary Polyphenols (2021). Trial describes cultivated Wolffia globosa Mankai as an iron-containing food; dry matter/shake intake percentages not converted into fresh composition. [2]

Source note 2

ALA: Freshwater Macrophytes: A Potential Source of Minerals and Fatty Acids (2022). Individual C18:3n-3 ALA is identified in Wolffia globosa; no unspecified 18:3 inference. [3]

Composition source: 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

[2] The Metabolomic-Gut-Clinical Axis of Mankai Plant-Derived Dietary Polyphenols (2021)

[3] Freshwater Macrophytes: A Potential Source of Minerals and Fatty Acids (2022)