DUCKWEED AS AN AQUATIC CROP: EDIBLE PROTEIN RECOVERY, PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION.

Available edible protein sources are often termed, due to their agricultural origin, as 'seed', 'leaf' or 'animal' protein. In this respect the two plant proteins mentioned are usually constituents of cheap feed, while animal protein is often related to expensive food. From the nutritional point of view the common plant protein has few characteristics which are responsible for their low biological and economic value: 1) Seed proteins are insoluble storage products found in fat- or carbohydrate-rich seeds which need prolonged digestion in the stock animal's intestine; 2) many seeds contain inhibitors which interfere with the metabolism of the consumer and 3) seed and leaf protein concentrates (LPC) are usually poor in one or more essential amino acids, namely lysine and methionine.