Advancements in Duckweed (Lemna Minor) Research: Exploring Sustainable Applications Bioproducts and Cultivation Strategies as Potential Drivers to Circular Economy Johana Marcela Concha Obando, Beatriz Heitzman, Moranne Toniato, Thalisia Cunha dos Santos, Levi Pompermayer Machado, Guilherme Wolff Bueno Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2026 Lemna minor (duckweed) belongs to the family Lemnaceae and is a small, simple, perennial plant commonly found floating or submerged in freshwater environments. The growing interest in using L. minor as a biological model for various applications has led to a substantial body of literature covering its potential uses, bioproducts, chemical composition, and cultivation conditions in laboratory settings and open culture systems. However, the lack of comprehensive systematic reviews hampers the creation of a consistent database to assess research progress across different fields and its connection to global challenges related to the circular economy. Fifty articles obtained from a systematic search were categorized into predefined groups according to their application: ecotoxicology, phytoremediation, chemical composition/bioproducts, in addition to a section where studies on cultivation strategies were discussed. Some studies that update information on the taxonomic status and morphological characteristics of the species were also explored. This review aims to update, systematically organize and critically evaluate existing knowledge, as well as identify research gaps and highlight promising avenues for future investigations. Beyond summarizing advances, this work positions L. minor as a model species analyzed through the lens of major circular economy frameworks, highlighting how its biological versatility and bioproduct potential contribute to circular bioeconomy transitions, through its sustainable applications, innovative bioproducts and cultivation strategies. Graphical Abstract
Lemna minor as a model organism to evaluate seaweed biostimulants for hydroponic crops Rodolfo Osin de Moraes, Bruna Roque Loureiro, Marco Shizuo Owatari, Carolina Antonieta Lopes, Patrícia Soares Santiago, Ana Letícia Madeira Sanches, Levi Pompermayer Machado Revista Ambiente E Agua, 2026 Seaweed-based biostimulants (SBB) have emerged as sustainable alternatives for traditional soil-based agriculture and have garnered worldwide attention in recent years. Despite their growing popularity, there is limited information available on the application and efficacy of SBB in hydroponic crops. This study assesses the biostimulant effects of a commercial SBB using Lemna minor as a model organism, developing a standardized bioassay for evaluating SBB in hydroponic cultures. The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions, following a randomized design with 10 treatments. These treatments included SBB (0T1, 0.5T1, 2T1) alone at concentrations of 0, 0.5, and 2.0 mg/L, SBB (0T2, 0.5T2, 2T2) + Hoagland and Arnon nutrient solution, and SBB (0T30, 0.5T3, 2T3) + 2.5 g/L NaCl. A control group (0TC) with distilled water was also included. The results showed that the isolated SBB did not significantly differ (p > 0.05) from the control treatment. Treatments in group T2 had significantly higher coverage area compared to treatments in group T3. The highest absolute percentage of coverage area was observed in 0.5T2 (14.0 ± 1.2%). Regarding the specific growth rate SGR, the higher growth rates were observed in 0.5T2 (0.37 ± 0.02% day⁻1). Group T2 treatments exhibited significantly higher dry biomass (p < 0.05) than group T3 treatments. Treatment with NaCl hindered plant growth. This methodology could enhance the development of a robust protocol for evaluating seaweed biostimulants for hydroponic crops.Keywords: biostimulants, duckweed, seaweed extract.
Nori species (Rhodophyta, Bangiales): a brief review of nutritional and economic potential in Brazil Lana Lopes da Silva, Johana Marcela Concha Obando, Levi Pompermayer Machado, Guilherme Wolff Bueno, Thalisia Cunha dos Santos Revista Ciencia Agronomica, 2025 The species Porphyra, Pyropia, and Neopyropia are widely cultivated and consumed worldwide due their valuable nutraceutical properties. These red algae are rich in essential macronutrients, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and minerals. They also contain bioproducts beneficial to human health, such as pigments (phycobiliproteins), phenolic compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and polysaccharides, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-obesity activities. These algae are particularly important as edible seaweeds, being most notably used in the production of Nori. This review examines recent research on the nutritional value of Nori species, based on 17 selected articles. The data were organized according to protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and ash content. Additionally, we explore the bioactive compounds found in these species, such as pigments, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. Our discussion also emphasizes the economic potential of Nori in Brazil. Despite the country’s rich biodiversity, Brazil remains a major importer of algae for human consumption. However, there is significant potential for expanding its presence in the aquaculture sector, creating opportunities for the cultivation of Nori species. These growing prospects could pave the way for the sustainable exploitation of this resource in both national and global markets.
A European biobanking strategy for safeguarding macroalgal genetic material to ensure food security, biosecurity and conservation of biodiversity Laurie C. Hofmann, Janina Brakel, Inka Bartsch, Gabriel Montecinos Arismendi, Ricardo Bermejo, Manuela I. Parente, Emeline Creis, Olivier De Clerck, Bertrand Jacquemin, Jessica Knoop, Maike Lorenz, Levi Pompermayer Machado, Neusa Martins, Sotiris Orfanidis, Ian Probert, Cecilia Rad Menendez, Michael Ross, Ralf Rautenberger, Jessica Schiller, Ester A. Serrao, Sophie Steinhagen, Ronan Sulpice, Myriam Valero, Thomas Wichard European Journal of Phycology, 2025 Biobanking (also known as germplasm banking) of genetic material is a well-established concept for preserving plant genetic diversity and also contributes to food security, conservation and restoration. Macroalgae currently represent a very small percentage of the strains in publicly accessible European germplasm banks, despite the increasing recognition of their contribution to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. There is no strategic coordination of existing macroalgal strains, which could have severe ecological and economic implications as species and their genetic diversity disappear rapidly due to local and global environmental stressors. In this opinion paper, we stress the importance of a coordinated European effort for preserving macroalgal genetic diversity and suggest the development of a three-pillared system to safeguard European macroalgal genetic material consisting of (1) a European Board of Macroalgal Genetic Resources (EBMGR) to provide supervision, support and coordination, (2) a network of germplasm banks consisting of currently existing and newly established infrastructures and (3) an interoperable databank integrating existing databanks. While it will be the task of the EBMGR to identify and coordinate priorities, we offer initial recommendations for preserving macroalgal genetic material, discuss the risks of inaction, and highlight the challenges that must be overcome.
Physiological effects of feeding whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) with the fresh macroalgae Chaetomorpha clavata Emanuelle Pereira Borges, Levi Pompermayer Machado, Ana Carolina Louzã, Andressa Cristina Ramaglia, Michelle Roberta Santos, Alessandra Augusto Aquaculture Reports, 2024 In shrimp farming, the use of commercial feed can generate high nutrient loads in water bodies, and often constitute the most substantial component of production costs. Alternatives that seek to reduce the use of commercial feed can therefore both mitigate environmental impacts and reduce operational expenses. One possible strategy is incorporation of algae that crustaceans can consume with minimal biological effect into integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems. Our objective was to determine whether the marine shrimp Penaeus vannamei feeds on the fresh macroalga Chaetomorpha clavata and whether the partial substitution (50 %) of this alga in its diet influences its physiology. Survival, growth, and a range of physiological processes including ingestion, defecation, metabolism, nitrogen excretion, oxidized energy substrate, hepatosomatic index, and energy budget were assessed in P . vannamei shrimp fed commercial feed (100 %, control) versus shrimp fed a combination of commercial feed and algae (50 % each). Our results showed that P. vannamei fed on C. clavata , and that there were no significant differences in mortality and growth rates (∼11 %) between shrimp fed with the two diets. The ingestion rate was higher in the group fed with macroalgae, however the defecation rate and digestibility were not affected. In both groups, no differences were detected in metabolic rates, growth, nitrogenous excretion, and egestion between shrimp fed the different diets, nor in oxidized energy substrates and the hepatosomatic index. Our results show that substituting 50 % of the feed with C. clavata represents a viable alternative to full commercial feed since it had minimal impact on the physiological functions of P. vannamei . In addition to the economic benefit of reducing the amount of feed used during culture, the use of algae also reduces contamination of effluent water, thereby improving environmental sustainability and water quality. • Mortality, growth rates, and energy budget, were unaffected by the substitution of 50 % algae in P. vannamei feed. • The replacement of fresh macroalgae in the diet did not affect the digestibility of shrimp. • Our results suggest that C. clavata could be a possible candidate for co-cultivation with Pacific white shrimp.
Antischistosomal activity from Brazilian marine algae Erika M. Stein, Levi P. Machado, Henrique K. Roffato, Patricia A. Miyasato, Eliana Nakano, Pio Colepicolo, Daniel X. Andreguetti Revista Brasileira De Farmacognosia, 2015
Correction to: Advancements in Duckweed (Lemna Minor) Research: Exploring Sustainable Applications Bioproducts and Cultivation Strategies as Potential Drivers to Circular Economy JMC Obando, B Heitzman, M Toniato, TC dos Santos, FT de Matos, ... Circular Economy and Sustainability 6 (3), 215 , 2026 2026
Lemna minor as a model organism to evaluate seaweed biostimulants for hydroponic crops RO Moraes, BR Loureiro, MS Owatari, CA Lopes, PS Santiago, ... Revista Ambiente & Água 21, e3136 , 2026 2026
Nanoencapsulation of red alga Pyropia spiralis extract by freeze-drying using maltodextrin DE20: Evaluation of antioxidant, antiglycation and anti-aging properties LMB Nucci, FO Granero, CCM Figueiredo, LP Silva, PS Santiago, ... Algal Research, 104708 , 2026 2026
Advancements in Duckweed ( Lemna Minor ) Research: Exploring Sustainable Applications Bioproducts and Cultivation Strategies as Potential Drivers to Circular … JMC Obando, B Heitzman, M Toniato, TC dos Santos, LP Machado, ... Circular Economy and Sustainability 6 (2), 44 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Lemna minor como organismo modelo para avaliar bioestimulantes de algas marinhas para culturas hidropônicas RO Moraes, BR Loureiro, MS Owatari, CA Lopes, PS Santiago, ... Revista Ambiente & Água 21, e3136 , 2026 2026
Correction to: Chemical and biotechnological characterization of supercritical CO2 extracts and residual Humulus lupulus biomass from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest GT Dias, JMC Obando, TC dos Santos, CAP Gaona, CCM Figueiredo, ... Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 15 (24), 30941-30941 , 2025 2025
Chemical and biotechnological characterization of supercritical CO2 extracts and residual Humulus lupulus biomass from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest GT Dias, JMC Obando, TC dos Santos, CAP Gaona, CCM Figueiredo, ... Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 15 (24), 30925-30940 , 2025 2025
Ecotoxicological assessment of pesticide mixtures: effects of imidacloprid and propiconazole on Danio rerio and Astyanax lacustris MVR Sebastião, JMC Obando, D da Silva Nascimento, AH Carolino, ... Aquatic Toxicology, 107544 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
A European biobanking strategy for safeguarding macroalgal genetic material to ensure food security, biosecurity and conservation of biodiversity LC Hofmann, J Brakel, I Bartsch, G Montecinos Arismendi, R Bermejo, ... European Journal of Phycology 60 (2), 197-220 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Transformação agrícola com o uso de tecnologias 5.0: a digitalização da aquicultura GW Bueno, MR Brand, RK Naoe, LP Machado, TD Trombeta, JFN Matias, ... Observatório de la Economía Latinoamericana 23 (3), e9331-e9331 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Nori species (Rhodophyta, Bangiales): a brief review of nutritional and economic potential in Brazil LL Silva, JMC Obando, LP Machado, GW Bueno, TC Santos Revista Ciência Agronômica 56, e202494155 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Physiological effects of feeding whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) with the fresh macroalgae Chaetomorpha clavata EP Borges, LP Machado, AC Louzã, AC Ramaglia, MR Santos, A Augusto Aquaculture Reports 37, 102222 , 2024 2024 Citations: 15
PRODUCTIVE AND MARKET ANALYSIS OF BETA-CAROTENE OBTAINED FROM THE MICROALGA DUNALIELLA SP.: CURRENT SCENARIOS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES NM Viana, JJ Da Silva Júnior, GW Bueno, LP Machado, MFN Ferreira, ... Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental 18 (2), 1-15 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Duckweed application in nature-based system for water phytoremediation and high-value coproducts at family agrisystem from a circular economy perspective BS Heitzman, GW Bueno, TR Camargo, DC Proença, CTO Yaekashi, ... Science of the Total Environment 919, 170714 , 2024 2024 Citations: 19
Perfil químico por CLUE-EMAR e atividade antifúngica e antioxidante da macroalga marinha Dictyota menstrualis TC dos Santos, JMC Obando, RCC Martins, MA Alves, RC Villaça, ... Revista Virtual de Química 16 (1) , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Cytogenotoxicity evaluation of heavy metals detected in extracts and infusion of Baccharis trimera , potential bioaccumulator plant RMG da Silva, VM de Oliveira Moraes, FO Granero, ... Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A 87 (3), 108-119 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT OF THE CANANEIA-IGUAPE ESTUARINE LAGUNAR COMPLEX: THE INFLUENCE OF THE VALO GRANDE CHANNEL LM Nery, JDL Perucello, M Cunha-Lignon, LP Machado, ... Univ Fed Parana, Editora , 2024 2024
Chemical Profile by UPLC-HRMS and Antifungal and Antioxidant Activity of Marine Macroalgae Dictyota menstrualis TC dos Santos, J Obando, RCC Martins, MA Alves, RC Villaça, ... 2024 Citations: 1
Chemical profile by UPLC-HRMS and antifungal and antioxidant activity of marine macroalgae Dictyota menstrualis TC Santos, RCC Martins, MA Alves, J Obando, RC Villaça, DN Cavalcanti, ... 2024 Citations: 2
Cytogenotoxic, insecticidal, and phytotoxic activity from biomass extracts of the freshwater algae Nitella furcata RMG da Silva, AR de Andrade, FO Granero, CCM Figueiredo, ... Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A 86 (4), 119-134 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Evaluation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Brazilian red macroalgae organic extracts LP Machado, LR Carvalho, MCM Young, EM Cardoso-Lopes, ... Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia 25 (6), 657-662 , 2015 2015 Citations: 70
Chemical analysis and toxicity of seaweed extracts with inhibitory activity against tropical fruit anthracnose fungi LP Machado, ST Matsumoto, CM Jamal, MB da Silva, D da Cruz Centeno, ... Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 94 (9), 1739-1744 , 2014 2014 Citations: 53
Efeito fungitóxico do óleo essencial de aroeira da praia (Schinus terebinthifolius RADDI) sobre Colletotrichum gloeosporioides LFG Oliveira Júnior, RB Santos, FO Reis, ST Matsumoto, WMS Bispo, ... Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais 15, 150-157 , 2013 2013 Citations: 51
Duckweed application in nature-based system for water phytoremediation and high-value coproducts at family agrisystem from a circular economy perspective BS Heitzman, GW Bueno, TR Camargo, DC Proença, CTO Yaekashi, ... Science of the Total Environment 919, 170714 , 2024 2024 Citations: 19
Seaweeds in the control of plant diseases and insects LP Machado, MC de Godoy Gasparoto, NA Santos Filho, R Pavarini Seaweeds as Plant Fertilizer, Agricultural Biostimulants and Animal Fodder … , 2019 2019 Citations: 19
Nutritional value changes in response to temperature, microalgae mono and mixed cultures FP Militão, VO Fernandes, KV Bastos, AP Martins, P Colepicolo, ... Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia 31, e17 , 2019 2019 Citations: 17
Comparative chemical analysis and antifungal activity of Ochtodes secundiramea (Rhodophyta) extracts obtained using different biomass processing methods LP Machado, LR de Carvalho, MCM Young, L Zambotti-Villela, ... Journal of applied phycology 26 (5), 2029-2035 , 2014 2014 Citations: 17
Physiological effects of feeding whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) with the fresh macroalgae Chaetomorpha clavata EP Borges, LP Machado, AC Louzã, AC Ramaglia, MR Santos, A Augusto Aquaculture Reports 37, 102222 , 2024 2024 Citations: 15
Coastal degradation impacts on green turtle's (Chelonia mydas) diet in southeastern Brazil: Nutritional richness and health KV Bastos, LP Machado, JC Joyeux, JS Ferreira, FP Militão, ... Science of The Total Environment 823, 153593 , 2022 2022 Citations: 15
Triagem de macroalgas com potencial antifúngico no controle in vitro da antracnose do mamoeiro (Carica papaya L.) LP Machado, WM da Silva Bispo, ST Matsumoto, FO Reis, RB dos Santos, ... Current Agricultural Science and Technology 17 (4) , 2011 2011 Citations: 15
Geotecnologias aplicadas na análise do risco de contaminação de poços de água no município de Sorocaba, SP LM Nery, VC Simonetti, LP Machado, DC da Cunha Holos Environment 20 (2), 214-230 , 2020 2020 Citations: 14
Antischistosomal activity from Brazilian marine algae EM Stein, LP Machado, HK Roffato, PA Miyasato, E Nakano, P Colepicolo, ... Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia 25 (6), 663-667 , 2015 2015 Citations: 12
Influence of laboratory cultivation on species of Rhodophyta physiological evaluations and antifungal activity against phytopathogens LP Machado, ST Matsumoto, GRF Cuzzuol, LFG Oliveira Jr Revista Ciência Agronômica 45 (1), 52-61 , 2013 2013 Citations: 11
A European biobanking strategy for safeguarding macroalgal genetic material to ensure food security, biosecurity and conservation of biodiversity LC Hofmann, J Brakel, I Bartsch, G Montecinos Arismendi, R Bermejo, ... European Journal of Phycology 60 (2), 197-220 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Challenges to advance aquaculture 4.0 in Brazil GW Bueno, TR Camargo, FG SAMPAIO, LP MACHADO, R Roubach World Aquaculture 54, 1-7 , 2021 2021 Citations: 10
Indicadores de sustentabilidade socioambiental de pisciculturas familiares em área de Mata Atlântica, no Vale do Ribeira-SP GW Bueno, AFG Leonardo, LP Machado, MR Brande, EM Godoy, ... Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 72, 901-910 , 2020 2020 Citations: 10
Sample size for quantification of cercospora leaf spot in sweet pepper SJ Michereff, LP Machado, MA Noronha, RB Martins Journal of plant pathology: Rivista di patologia vegetale: an international … , 2011 2011 Citations: 10
Efeito do extrato de algas no desempenho germinativo e crescimento radicular em sementes de feijão BRS Estilo em resposta a diferentes métodos de aplicação NHS Santos, ACD Silveira, VO Fernandes, LP Machado Hoehnea 48, e1002020 , 2021 2021 Citations: 8
Estimativa da radiação global diária a partir de variáveis meteorológicas comuns em ambiente subtropical úmido. ÉT Teramoto, DC da SILVA e CUNHA, CM dos SANTOS, LP Machado, ... nativa 7 (6) , 2019 2019 Citations: 5
BIOSTIMULANT EFFECT OF SEAWEED EXTRACTS APPLIED ON BEANS (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) DMC Levi Pompermayer Machado , Nair Hildelgard Soares dos Santos , Kathiani ... Cultura Agronômica 27 (1), 101 - 110 , 2018 2018 Citations: 5