If we encounter global catastrophe, a common vegetable that usually goes unnoticed could be our salvation. This aquatic plant that can double its biomass In just two days, it captures nitrogen from the air and provides enough nutrients to feed birds and livestock. It could also feed us humans.
It’s about the factory Azolla Caroliniana, native of the eastern United States, although it is growing in other regions. A recent study published in Food Science and Nutritionfound that it is more digestible and nutritious for humans.
“It was believed that use of Azolla for human consumption has been limited due to its high polyphenol content, which impairs its digestibility,” explained Michael Jacobson, a professor of ecosystem sciences and management and a participant in the research, in a statement from Penn State University. “But this study shows that the phenolic content of the Carolina strain is much lower, and cooking the plant reduces it even further.”
Polyphenols are chemical compounds found naturally in plants. High concentrations of polyphenols can limit the body’s absorption of nutrients. However, in small quantities they have antioxidant properties. This is the case of a plant that will help us survive during a global catastrophe.
The researchers found that Azolla caroliniana has a total phenolic content of approximately 4.26 grams of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per kilogram of dry weight. To give us an idea, it is similar to what is found in some fruits and beans.
Other properties of the plant that will save us from a global catastrophe
Azolla is usually called water fern, floating fern or water grass. The researchers also highlight that its ability to recycle nitrogen has made it a powerful fertilizer for crops.
“Our study highlights the nutritional value and moderate protein content of Azolla caroliniana. and demonstrates that cooking methods easily and significantly reduce total phenolic content,” said Daniel Winstead, another of the researchers. The team tested three cooking methods: boiling, pressure cooking and natural fermentation. In this way, they found that they could reduce phenol levels by 62–92%.
This is a plant It is ideal for natural disaster or global catastrophe scenarios as it grows quickly and does not require much maintenance.. They emphasize that its potential can now be used on farms and in poor regions. “It is a multi-purpose wild edible plant that has great economic, agricultural, nutritional and sustainability potential, but needs further development,” the statement said.
“Whether it’s a ‘quick fix’ for global disaster scenarios or a long-term sustainability plan, Azolla caroliniana can provide large amounts of protein and calories for people and livestock,” Winstead noted.
This plant was even considered in NASA space programs. the researchers emphasized. The research is part of a larger interdisciplinary project called “Food Resilience in the Face of Catastrophic Global Events,” coordinated by the College of Agricultural Sciences.
Source: Hiper Textual
