Integrated Characterization of Wolffia globosa as a Potential Food Ingredient: Nutritional and Physicochemical...

Wolffia globosa (watermeal) is a potential plant-based food ingredient. This study characterized its nutritional and physicochemical properties, elemental levels, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH radical-scavenging activity, IL-6 production in H₂O₂-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, and preliminary cell-viability responses. On a dry-weight basis, the tested W. globosa sample contained 25.83% protein, 4.56% fat, 16.58% ash, 8.80% crude fiber, and 44.22% carbohydrate. Arsenic and zinc were detected below their limits of quantification, whereas cadmium, copper, and lead were below their method detection limits. All analytical reporting limits were below the corresponding EFSA specification values. The extract had TPC and TFC values of 0.85 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g sample DW and 0.52 ± 0.02 mg QE/g sample DW, respectively, and showed weak DPPH radical-scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 7.58 ± 0.32 mg DW-equivalent/mL). At 0.1 mg DW-equivalent/mL, the H₂O₂-stimulated extract-treated group showed a lower IL-6 concentration than the H₂O₂-stimulated extract-free model control. Weak reductions in cancer-cell viability occurred only at high concentrations (IC₅₀ values of approximately 38-42 mg DW-equivalent/mL). The biological findings remain preliminary. Overall, the tested sample showed promising nutritional and physicochemical characteristics, low selected-elements levels, and preliminary in vitro responses.