Lemnature: Protein concentrates and fibers from water lentils/lemna/duckweed
Florida-based Lemnature (formerly known as Parabel) makes a 65% protein concentrate and a 60% fiber product from a fast-growing free-floating aquatic plant called the water lentil (also known as duckweed and Lemna), that it grows outdoors year-round in raceways on 600-acres on non-arable land.
The ‘water positive’ firm, which is currently going through an ISO compliant comparative lifecycle analysis with a company called Earth Shift Global, does not use pesticides and herbicides, and has designed its raceways to prevent nutrient runoff.
While the bright green color of the ingredient – which is FDA GRAS - is not for everyone, the protein concentrate, which also contains iron, vitamins and minerals, has attracted interest from firms making green beverages and smoothies, while the higher-fiber powder works well in everything from vegan mayo to muffins, said the firm.