Wolffia brasiliensis: characterization and biotechnological application

• Grant number: 24/01639-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biology
• Principal Investigator: Augusto Ducati Luchessi
• Grantee: Augusto Ducati Luchessi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Caroline de Souza Barnabé ; Daiane Salete Broch Mignoni ; Estela de Oliveira Nunes ; Helaine Carrer ; JOSÉ RODRIGO CLÁUDIO PANDOLFI

Abstract

In the mid-19th century, a European expedition in the "Brazilian province of Matto Grosso" discovered for the first time the aquatic plant Wolffia brasiliensis, which is considered the smallest angiosperm with fronds in the plant kingdom, measuring around 1 mm. W. brasiliensis can be found floating in lakes and rivers and plays an important role in aquatic ecosystems, providing shelter and food for other organisms. It has a high capacity for generating biomass, occurring in carbon capture and with accumulation rates higher than those found in forests. Its proliferation is intensified in waters impacted with organic residues, with a positive impact on water quality. In addition to its application as a bioremediation strategy, the fact that its biomass is highly nutritious stands out. In relation to transgenics, it has great potential as a biotechnological platform for the production of molecules of pharmaceutical interest. In this context, we aim to rescue the historical species W. brasiliensis, advance in its biological characterization by sequencing its genome and develop pharmaceutical and nutritional biotechnological approaches. (AU)