Mankai (Duckweed)

Overview

Mankai (Wolffia globosa, duckweed) is a functional plant food providing bioavailable iron and true vitamin B12, helping close vegan nutrient gaps. Precision sourcing of functional plant foods such as Mankai duckweed (iron, B12) helps narrow vegan nutrient gaps.

Recipes

no recipes found

Substances

3 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)

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Methylation; myelin; mitochondrial odd-chain FA metabolism

Preparation Notes

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

Biological Target Matrix

Biological Target	Substance	Contribution Level	Therapeutic Areas	Mechanism of Action
Methylation & One-Carbon Metabolism	Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease	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 Function & Bioenergetics	Iron	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Critical for oxygen delivery to the brain via hemoglobin; supports mitochondrial function and energy production
Mitochondrial Function & Bioenergetics	Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	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
Neurotransmitter Regulation	Iron	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Essential cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of tyrosine to dopamine; critical for catecholamine synthesis
Neurotransmitter Regulation	Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Supports neurotransmitter production through methylation; essential for myelin synthesis

References

• Precision sourcing of functional plant foods such as Mankai duckweed (iron, B12), soy/soy lecithin (choline), and fortified nutritional yeast (B12, B6) helps narrow vegan nutrient gaps
• Vitamin B₁₂ (also present in Wolffia globosa) Kaplan et al. 2019
• Protein Sources: Legumes, fermented soy, lupins, Mankai, seeds, whole grains, functional yeasts