In the case of duckweed, scientists are focusing on increasing protein content, while in the case of watercress, they are focusing on the production of sulforaphane, which has anticarcinogenic properties. “It is not about breeding new varieties, but about finding completely new food sources and adjusting the conditions for indoor cultivation. This stimulates the plants to naturally produce higher levels of specific substances,” explained Robert Pokluda from the Institute of Vegetable and Flower Growing at MENDELU.
The cultivation part of the experiments and the possibilities of use in the food industry are provided by the Institute of Vegetable and Flower Growing together with the Institute of Post-Harvest Technology of Horticultural Products at the Faculty of Horticulture. “Optimizing growing conditions stimulates higher production of target substances, thanks to which the raw material can then be used for the production of more nutritionally rich foods,” Pokluda described.
In the case of duckweed, the primary goal was to secure promising genotypes – genetic material with good prospects for rapid reproduction and potentially high protein production, which is the focus of the scientific team’s research on this crop. “We then optimize the growing conditions for specific genotypes in order to stimulate faster growth and the highest possible protein yield. This is done by working with the composition of the nutrient solution, different light intensities, and the composition of the light spectrum,” the scientist explained.
The procedure was similar for watercress. “Suitable genotypes were selected by collecting flowering plants from various locations throughout the Czech Republic, and the sulforaphane content of these samples was then determined. This substance is generally found in high levels in cruciferous vegetables, but the results so far indicate that watercress contains many times more. Further work on watercress will also continue in a similar vein to that on duckweed, focusing on optimizing growing conditions in order to stimulate sulforaphane production and achieve the highest possible yields,” said Pokluda.