Startups Turn to Ponds to Find the Next Climate-Fighting Superfood
A neon green plant the size of a sprinkle and grown in water is emerging as a promising source of protein for the world’s growing population, while requiring fewer land and water resources. Known by more appealing names like water lentils and lemna, this tiny plant could potentially play a significant role in sustainable food systems. Whole Foods Market Inc. has already predicted water lentils as one of the top food trends, indicating its potential in the global market.
Startups are keenly harvesting and marketing this plant, considering its versatility. Water lentils are not only being sold in their whole form to enhance everyday meals, but their chemical properties are also being extracted to function as egg substitutes or flavor enhancers.
Duckweed boasts up to 45% protein content, making it significantly richer in protein than many other vegetables. The startup GreenOnyx highlights that water lentils contain more iron than spinach, and more zinc and potassium than other commonly consumed vegetables. This nutritional powerhouse, combined with its fast growth rate—doubling in biomass every 24 to 72 hours—and ability to be grown year-round, positions water lentils as a potential game-changer in diets globally.
Ingrid van der Meer, a researcher at Wageningen Plant Research, notes the potential impact of water lentils if marketed correctly. However, she emphasizes the need for scale to justify these investments. Despite this promising outlook, challenges remain. Duckweed is traditionally grown on open ponds, but innovative farming in closed systems is reducing risks of contamination and minimizing resource requirements, which aligns with environmental goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
Tony Martens Fekini, co-founder of Plantible, underscores the sustainability of duckweed, noting that it requires 90% less water than soybeans and yields significantly more protein per acre. His company has refined a method to extract protein from duckweed, resulting in a product called RuBisCO, or “rubi” for short. This protein acts as a binding agent similar to egg whites, providing various applications in food products, and potentially reducing reliance on animal-derived proteins.
Plantible has received substantial financial backing, including a recent $30 million Series B funding, and is pursuing FDA approval for rubi. The company is working toward profitability, with its sights set on global expansion. Despite hurdles faced by other startups, Plantible’s controlled cultivation methods and strategic positioning on a West Texas cattle ranch offer room for growth and signify a new direction in agriculture.
Meanwhile, GreenOnyx adopts a distinct approach by marketing water lentils as a standalone food item. The company has developed unique methods for growing water lentils with minimal human intervention, ensuring consistent quality and efficiency. This has even caught the attention of NASA, who is exploring the viability of growing duckweed in space for future astronaut missions.
The versatility of water lentils extends to culinary innovation, with chefs experimenting with its integration into various dishes. Notably, Michelin-starred restaurant Eleven Madison Park incorporated water lentils into a seasonal menu, highlighting its nutritional benefits, unique texture, and vibrant color.
While water lentils have the potential to be a climate-friendly superfood, challenges similar to those faced by plant-based meats remain. Consumer education and perception are crucial to gaining traction in the mainstream market. Even as initial ventures face setbacks, the persistent innovation and creativity among startups offer hope for widespread adoption of this promising food alternative.
Back on Earth, GreenOnyx is actively pursuing retail opportunities and has plans for a US-based facility, which aligns with its ambition to become a staple in the mass market. Plantible, too, envisions replicating its successful model to address regions heavily dependent on imported food, showcasing the broad potential for water lentils as a sustainable food solution.
The journey of water lentils from obscure pond plants to potential climate-fighting superfoods is filled with potential and challenges. However, with ongoing innovation and market interest, these tiny plants could soon play a significant role in transforming global food systems.
