## 1 Introduction  
The search for new protein sources for animal feed is increasingly urgent due to the rising world population, projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 [1]. This demand for animal protein creates challenges such as resource overuse, greenhouse gas emissions, and strain on ecosystems. The competition for limited resources like land, water, and crops has led to rising prices for conventional protein sources, including soybean meal and fishmeal [2, 3, 4]. Additionally, traditional sources, such as soy, are associated with deforestation [5]. Several strategies are being explored to mitigate competition for resources, including efficient agricultural practices and sustainable technologies that use alternative protein sources in animal feed. These approaches aim to meet the nutritional needs of animals while protecting environmental health, often by sourcing local, fast-growing materials [6, 7, 8, 2]. Aquatic plants (mainly _Lemma_ spp.) are a promising option, as they are high in protein, grow 20-30 times faster than traditional crops, and can recycle 97% of water during their growth and harvesting. Additionally, they absorb carbon dioxide, enhancing their environmental benefits [4,7,9]. _Lemma_ spp. is an aquatic plant commonly known as duckweed or water lentil. _Lemma_ spp. is used as a general term to refer to various species of the genus Lemma when the specific species are not identified. It is an angiosperm aquatic plant belonging to the family Lemmaceae. Its vegetative body corresponds to a thalloid form, i.e., in which the stem and leaves are indistinguishable. It consists of a single oval or oval-obovate thallus (with a slightly succulent texture and smooth margins), a green structure, and a single thin, white root. This genus consists of 12 species (_Lemma aquinoctiales_, _Lemma aquinoctiales_, _Lemma aquinoctiales_, _Lemma aquinoctiales_, _Lemma aperpusill_, _Lemma aperpusill_, _Lemma aperpusill_, _Lemma aperpusill_, _Lemma aperpusill_, _Lemma aquinoctiales_) [10] whose differences in size, shape and reproductive strategies contribute to their adaptability to different aquatic environments. Of these, _Lemma minor_ is the most common and well-known [9,10]. Its size is very small, reaching 2 to 4 mm in length and 2 mm in width, being recognized as one of the smallest angiosperm species in the plant kingdom [8,9]. _Lemma minor_ is a small, fast-growing floating plant that thrives in dense clusters in still or slow-moving waters rich in nutrients. It has been reported that the growth rate of _L. minor_ is 0.355-0.390 g per day (in the laboratory) and 0.144-0.860 g per day (in the field). In general, maximum _L. minor_ biomass is achieved after 14-28 days after inoculation. They can grow in both fresh and brackish water. Its distribution is universal; these plants are found across a variety of geographical and climatic regions, although they do not thrive in arid deserts or permafrost areas [10,11]. They flourish best in tropical and subtropical zones, where they are commonly found in lakes and lagoons. _Lemma minor_ can become a source of feed ingredients because it is a highly productive biomass resource that is available, cheap, easy to obtain, and not polluting [8,12,13]. Alternative high-quality feed must be easy to cultivate and not require extensive land. It also has an interesting nutritional value in terms of protein and carbohydrates for animal feed [4,7]. _L. minor_ can achieve protein levels up to 38% of its biomass (dry), with a complete essential amino acid composition. In addition, _L. minor_ also contains a high level of crude fiber (17-20%) [9,13,14]. However, to ensure that the use of _Lemma_ spp. in animal feed can be applied at an industrial level, researchers focus on obtaining high biomass yields (such as media growth and the control of some environmental parameters such as salinity, temperature, and light intensity, among others) and continuous processing technologies (harvesting, drying, and mixing, among others) should be implemented.