Macrophytes: biomass with high transformation potential and a promising source of bioactive compounds

Abstract

Macrophytes have a great potential for transformation. They are aquatic plants that help balance the ecosystem, such as duckweed. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the growth of macrophytes grown in wastewater, as well as to analyze the chemical profile and efficiency of their biomolecules for biotechnological application. The macrophytes were collected in Três Lagoas (Lemna minor) and Dourados (Landoltia punctata) and transported to the laboratory, where the samples were cleaned in running and distilled water, separated and prepared for cultivation in a plastic container for 15 days. in different treatments. The samples were washed in distilled water, macerated and the supernatant separated by centrifugation for 10 min at 4,000 rpm, and used for molecular analysis with a spectrophotometer (UV-vis) with scanning between 200 and 800 nm, the antioxidant activity by the DPPH method, nutritional composition and use by exploratory database research. Analysis of UV-vis spectra suggested the presence of amino acids and chlorophyll. L. punctata showed the highest free radical scavenging when grown in vinasse, while L. minor showed the lowest antioxidant activity in fish water. These plants are considered a promising source of biomolecules that can be used in different biotechnological processes.