A new study has confirmed that Carolina azolla, a fast-growing floating fern, is free of harmful cyanotoxins and also holds potential as a sustainable food source to tackle global food insecurity. With the ability to rapidly double its biomass and fix nitrogen from the air, researchers believe the freshwater plant, also known as mosquito ferns, could play a crucial role in alleviating global food insecurity.Research technologist at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Daniel Winstead, tells Nutrition Insight about azolla’s unique nutritional profile, rapid growth and low-resource cultivation, making it a viable option for feeding millions in need.
