Kewei Chen

Dr. Kewei Chen

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 January 2025 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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KTKrisztina Takács
Krisztina Takács
RVRita Végh
Rita Végh
ZMZsuzsa Mednyánszky
Zsuzsa Mednyánszky
JHJoseph HADDAD
Joseph HADDAD
Karim AllafKarim Allaf
Karim Allaf
IDIstván Dalmadi
István Dalmadi
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the world we live in, because of the rapid global population growth and climate change (drought, extreme temperature fluctuations). People in developing countries need more sustainable protein sources instead of the traditional, less sustainable meat, fish, egg, and dairy products. Alternative sources (plant-based, such as grains (wheat, rice sorghum), seeds (chia, hemp), nuts (almond, walnut), pulses (beans, lentil, pea, lupins), and leaves (duckweed), as well as mycoproteins, microalgae, and insects) can compensate for the increased demand for animal protein. In this context, our attention has been specifically focused on duckweed—which is the third most important aquatic plant after the microalgae Chlorella and Spirulina—to explore its potential for use in a variety of areas, particularly in the food industry. Duckweed has special properties: It is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world (in freshwater), multiplying its mass in two days, so it can cover a water surface quickly even in filtered sunlight (doubling its biomass in 96 hours). During this time, it converts a lot of carbon dioxide into oxygen. It is sustainable, environmentally friendly (without any pesticides), and fast growing; can be grown in indoor vertical farms and aquaculture, so it does not require land; is easy to harvest; and has a good specific protein yield. Duckweed belongs to the family Araceae, subfamily Lemnoideae, and has five genera (Lemna, Spirodela, Wolffia, Wolffiella, Landolita) containing a total of approximately 36–38 recognised species. Duckweed is gaining attention in nutrition and food sciences due to its potential as a sustainable source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. However, there are several gaps in research specifically focused on nutrition and the bioaccessibility of its components. While some studies have analysed the variability in the nutritional composition of different duckweed species, there is a need for comprehensive research on the variability in nutrient contents across species, growth conditions, harvesting times, and geographic locations. There has been limited research on the digestibility, bioaccessibility (the proportion of nutrients that are released from the food matrix during digestion), and bioavailability (the proportion that is absorbed and utilised by the body) of nutrients in duckweed. Furthermore, more studies are needed to understand how food processing (milling, fermentation, cooking, etc.), preparation methods, and digestive physiology affect the nutritional value and bioavailability of the essential bioactive components in duckweed and in food matrices supplemented with duckweed. This could help to optimise the use of duckweed in human diets (e.g., hamburgers or pastas supplemented with duckweed) or animal feed. More research is needed on how to effectively incorporate duckweed into diverse cuisines and dietary patterns. Studies focusing on recipe development, consumer acceptance, palatability, and odour are critical. Addressing these gaps could provide valuable insights into the nutritional potential of duckweed and support its promotion as a sustainable food source, thereby contributing to food security and improved nutrition. In summary, this article covers the general knowledge of duckweed, its important nutritional values, factors that may affect their biological value, and risk factors for the human diet, while looking for technological solutions (covering traditional and novel technologies) that can be used to increase the release of the useful, health-promoting components of duckweed and, thus, their bioavailability. This article, identifying gaps in recent research, could serve as a helpful basis for related research in the future. Duckweed species with good properties could be selected by these research studies and then included in the human diet after they have been tested for food safety.

1 October 2019 in Food Chemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
KCKewei Chen
Kewei Chen
María RocaMaría Roca
María Roca

8 July 2022 in Food Research International
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
IAIsrael Emiezi Agarry
Israel Emiezi Agarry
ZWZhirong Wang
Zhirong Wang
TCTian Cai
Tian Cai
ZWZhulian Wu
Zhulian Wu
JKJianquan Kan
Jianquan Kan
KCKewei Chen
Kewei Chen

6 May 2023 in Food Chemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
FZFenglan Zhou
Fenglan Zhou
HDHuiling Deng
Huiling Deng
IAIsrael Emiezi Agarry
Israel Emiezi Agarry
JHJiang Hu
Jiang Hu
DXDonghui Xu
Donghui Xu
KCKewei Chen
Kewei Chen

24 April 2024 in Food Chemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
WZWenhua Zhang
Wenhua Zhang
CZChunjie Zhou
Chunjie Zhou
FZFenglan Zhou
Fenglan Zhou
ZZZsolt Zalán
Zsolt Zalán
HSHui Shi
Hui Shi
KCKewei Chen
Kewei Chen

11 April 2023 in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DDDesheng Ding
Desheng Ding
XHXiaoling He
Xiaoling He
IAIsrael Emiezi Agarry
Israel Emiezi Agarry
YWYuankai Wang
Yuankai Wang
FZFenglan Zhou
Fenglan Zhou
KCKewei Chen
Kewei Chen