Water Hyacinth (কচুরিপানা) as a human food: A review

Photo: Water Hyacinth (Wikipedia)

The idea of using water hyacinth as human food was coined in 1960 although the idea did not get that much success. 

Water hyacinth leaf protein concentrate (WHPLC) may be used as supplementary food. It is likely to be nutritious because of the high protein content and the content of unsaturated fats, carotenes, xanthophylls, starch and minerals such as iron, calcium and phosphorus (Kateregga and Sterner, 2007). However, extraction of WHLPC in edible form has been scanty in literature. The concentrated form of proteins that are found in plant leaves are referred to as leaf protein concentrate (LPC). Due to its availability and affordability, LPC are being considered as for human and animal consumption.

According to wild edible database, water hyacinth was rated as 2 out of 5 points in edibility rating. They also reported that "Young leaves and petioles – cooked. Virtually tasteless. Said to be used as a carotene-rich table vegetable in Formosa. Javanese sometimes cook and eat the green parts and inflorescence. Flower spikes – cooked."

According to comecaven (2012), young leaves, stems, bottom, deep fry of bulb, boiled blossoms can be eaten as food. 

According to animal science and production division of Tanzania "In Vietnam, water hyacinth flowers are used as vegetables for human (Nguyen 1996). In India and China water hyacinth has been part of human food and domestic animals especially pigs and poultry for centuries."

Therefore, it can be inferred from the above review that water hyacinth can be taken as human food normally. But feasibility of using it as a source of human nutrition in a era of available and feasible food items is somewhat unacceptable. However, in the sense of creating variation in food consumption it can be included in our table food item.

Be careful before using it as food, because in some cases it is harmful for health as it may uptake heavy metals vigorously. 

Making water hyacinth soup:

Acknowledgment: Science direct, Weedy connection, Comescavenge, IRRD, Youtube