Lemnaceae as a poultry feed supplement: a review on the nutritional and economic potential for long term feed...

Soybean is a conventional and widely used protein source in the poultry feed. Fluctuating soybean prices linked to changing climatic and agroeconomic condition brings in multiple sustainability and food security concerns in the poultry feed sector. Additionally, competition for agricultural land, coupled to rising feed costs has put economic strain on the consumers. There is a need to promote alternative low-cost protein sources to bring in circularity in production systems, reduce environmental footprints, and improve long-term resilience of the poultry feed sector in the face of climate change. This work explores duckweed as a promising and economical alternative to soybean for use in the poultry feed sector and evaluates the limitations in their widespread use. Rich protein (around 35%-40%), high lysine content and diverse nutritional profile of duckweed confirm its suitability as an attractive component in the poultry feed, particularly relevant in the era of climate change and feed security crisis. Large scale production is however limited by processing and storage concerns that need to be further addressed to increase the economic viability of duckweeds. Production systems based on recycled wastewater makes the process sustainable. Reduction in antinutritive factors by enzymes or microbial fermentation will further enhance the acceptability of these plants as feed components. This study highlights opportunities to reduce the dependency on climate-sensitive soybean while promoting a circular bioeconomy approach in the poultry feed sector. Use of duckweed offers a promising approach to ensure a climate resilient and sustainable poultry sector, with potential to enhance food security.