A systematic review of Lemna minor: exploring potential utilization

Abstract

Lemna minor, popularly known as duckweed, is a species of aquatic macrophyte found in fresh or low-salinity water bodies, protected from strong winds and currents, generally forming dense populations that float on the surface of water bodies. The present review discusses the available knowledge on the use of duckweed (Lemna minor). Between 1972 and 2024, 341 publications obtained from Web of Science and Scopus databases were exported and analyzed using the tool Bibliometrix for definition and critical analysis of main authors, journals and countries. Articles involving Lemna minor are published in seven fields of knowledge: toxicity, bioremediation, growth factors, genetics, energy production, agriculture and animal supplementation. The three most cited articles in each area were recorded. Reviewed data suggest that the technology for growing aquatic plants is simple and cheap. Duckweed can absorb, decompose and reabsorb nutrients, acting as "fertilizer capacitors". Lemna minor has the potential to be used as a source of energy, and represents a sustainable alternative for removing heavy metals from soil and air. Studies on the application of Lemna minor still present little-explored areas, such as food for humans and animals, as the protein potential of the species is a factor of interest.