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Explora: Environment
and Resource Anabaena-Azolla for crops and bioenergy

8. Use of Azolla in animal feeding to generate electricity, power, and heat. Biofuels are
commonly extracted from the following sources: living
The value of Azolla as animal feed is claimed to be beneficial organisms, biomass (plants or other living organisms),
for improving the productivity of livestock, which are a firewood, and bio-based products/waste feedstock, such
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crucial component of agriculture. Azolla is a healthy feed as bagasse. Liquid biofuels are primarily commercialized
for animals, birds, and humans due to its high protein, in two types: bioethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol is obtained
amino acid, vitamins (A, B , beta carotene), calcium, iron, from a variety of sources, ranging from starch and sugar-
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phosphorus, copper, magnesium, and other minerals. It based crops to microorganisms such as Saccharomyces
also contains a low amount of lignin. Incorporating Azolla cerevisiae. Biodiesel was initially obtained from non-
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into poultry feed increases broiler chicken weight without food crops or their seeds, but it can now be produced
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negatively affecting production performance. It also in significant quantities from genetically modified
boosts egg production in layer chickens, increasing their microorganisms. These biofuels can be used as a blending
ability to lay eggs by 10 – 15%. Azolla is used as feed for fish, agent with conventional fossil fuels, such as petroleum
pigs, rabbits, sheep, and goats. For example, milk output or gasoline. Biogas is also an important biofuel in its
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increases by 10 – 15% in dairy animals and by 8 – 10% gaseous form, obtained through anaerobic fermentation. It
in goats. Based on numerous studies and observations, is commonly used for heating and cooking purposes. Solid
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A. pinnata is recommended as a feasible unconventional biofuels, including charcoal, wood, and manure, are used
protein supplement for cattle during the lean season in rain- in rural areas for local purposes. 87
fed areas. A. pinnata shows that the protein in its leaves
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has favorable levels of amino acids. The use of an Azolla as Biofuels are classified into four types based on the
a protein supplement can accelerate feeding, absorption, feedstocks used: first-generation biofuels, second-
and growth in fish. It is one of the least expensive methods generation biofuels, third-generation biofuels, and
for increasing fish production in organic fish farming. In fourth-generation biofuels. The first generation biofuels
addition, blending Azolla biomass with other agricultural are mainly obtained from food crops. The types of fuels
byproducts, such as wheat and rice bran, improves the produced include bioethanol, bio-alcohol, and vegetable
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digestibility and protein quality of the final fish product. oils. Commonly used food crops for the generation of
With careful planning and cultural techniques, Azolla can fuels include corn, wheat, soybeans, sugar cane, beets,
maintained year-round, ensuring its availability as fodder wheat, rapeseed, coconut, sorghum, potato, and palm oil.
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throughout the year. Azolla in dried form is not preferred First-generation biofuels face a significant competitive
by birds; thus, using fresh biomass is a better option for disadvantage, as they require a large amount of land,
animal and poultry feed, as it has no negative effects. 18 fertilizer, and water when it comes to food crops. In addition
to the higher costs associated with the production of
9. Azolla as a source of food feedstock, first-generation fuel production can contribute

Given that Azolla is rich in fiber, protein, fatty acids, amino to greenhouse gas emissions. Due to these drawbacks,
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acids, vitamins, polyphenols, and other nutritious contents, second-generation biofuels have been developed.
it is now being studied as a potential food source for human Figure 4 depicts the utilization of different feeds used for
consumption. It can be incorporated into a balanced diet biofuels, with palm oil being the most utilized, followed by
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and mixed with other foods. However, as Azolla contains soybean and rapeseed oil. To overcome the limitations of
lower amounts of cysteine and methionine, the diet should first-generation fuels, next-generation fuels are produced
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include other food sources to provide these two amino from non-edible crops. These substrates include forest
acids, especially if only amino acids are the primary focus
of the diet. Common food items in which Azolla can
be incorporated include soup, meatballs, and, in some
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cases, pancakes. A recent study by Katayama et al., in
collaboration with the Space Agriculture Task Force, has
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suggested including Azolla as part of the space diet during
Mars habitation, as it meets human nutritional demands.
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The sterilized roots and leaves can be used as food for
astronauts, as they fulfill their nutritional requirements. 42
10. Biofuels
Biofuels are a type of renewable fuel that can exist in
different forms such as liquid or gas. They are used Figure 4. Percentage of utilization of different feedstocks as biofuels 88

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 10 doi: 10.36922/eer.7975