In Japan, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. acquired the exclusive sales rights in Japan for Mankai, a variety of the aquatic plant duckweed, by investing USD $15 million in Hinoman Ltd., an Israeli company with Mankai breeding rights in Israel. Ajinomoto plans to establish a new business by promoting the development and sale of processed foods using Mankai as well as sale of Mankai as an ingredient.
Protein makes up about 45 percent of the nutritional components of Mankai dry powder and also contains vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. Cultivated in a short period with a relatively small amount of water, light and nutrients, Mankai can be produced efficiently with a minimal ecological footprint.
By combining Mankai with its own seasoning and processing technologies, product development and marketing capabilities, Ajinomoto plans to develop new well-balanced nutritional products and sell them in the Japanese market.