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Development of the Duckweed Holobiont Resource Values towards Thailand BCG Economy

Environment / Energy (Carbon Neutrality)

Kingdom of Thailand

Development of the Duckweed Holobiont Resource Values towards Thailand BCG Economy

Discover the power of microbial symbiosis and help realize a resource-recycling society

Principal Investigator

- Prof.
  MORIKAWA Masaaki
  Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University
- Prof.
  Arinthip THAMCHAIPENET
  Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University

ODA Recipient Country

Kingdom of Thailand

Research Institutions in Japan

Hokkaido University / Kyoto University / Osaka University / Tohoku University / University of Yamanashi / National Institute for Environmental Studies / Saraya Co., Ltd.

Research Institutions in Counterpart Country

Kasetsart University / Khon Kaen University / Chulalongkorn University / Mahidol University / Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University / BIOTEC / NANOTEC / Advanced GreenFarm

Adoption fiscal year

FY 2020

Research Period

5 Years

Overview of the Research Project

Establish a holobiont resource research center to study combination of duckweed and coexisting microorganisms
Contribute to the construction of a sustainable society by utilizing plants in the Lemnaceae family (duckweeds), which have high resource value and can grow in contaminated water where there is a high concentration of CO₂. Specifically, (1) create a biobank of complex organisms consisting of duckweed and coexisting microbes, (2) understand and enhance microbial symbiosis that accelerates the growth rate of duckweed, (3) develop low-carbon water treatment technologies and duckweed production technologies, (4) manufacture biofuels, bioplastics, and livestock feeds, and (5) improve edible duckweed productivity and develop highly functional foods.

Develop greenhouse gas reduction technologies and valuable resources ranging from duckweed foods to biofuel
Contribute to the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model being promoted by the Thai government and to carbon offsetting by simultaneously addressing everything from development of duckweed-based bioresources to the creation of new industries.