A review of the industrial use and global sustainability of Cannabis sativa

Abstract

The Cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.), also known as hemp, is a sustainable and multipurpose plant that may be used for a wide range of purposes, from the fiber in its stalks to the food in its seeds to the oil in its flowers and seeds. Since the Cannabis plant has been recognized to be an outstanding carbon trap and environmentally friendly biofuel that supports all three aspects of sustainability—the economy, the environment, and society—it may provide a solution to the climate change dilemma. The cultivation of the Cannabis plant has been practiced as a dietary staple in numerous places across the globe for an extended period. However, its production has been prohibited in several countries mostly owing to its relationship with illicit drug consumption. The illegality of the plant has impeded research efforts for an extended period of time on a global scale. As a result, people's ability to assess the whole range of beneficial effects and dangers shrank. However, the global trend toward Cannabis legalization and decriminalization has accelerated in recent years. This has stimulated more investigation into the botanical, ecological, and practical aspects of the plant. This study reviewed the available literature to understand more about the Cannabis plant's global sustainability. The results demonstrated the potential of Cannabis plants to affect product sustainability and the use of hemp as a renewable raw material. Furthermore, this review outlines the connections between the Cannabis plant and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. This research fills a gap in our understanding of the Cannabis plant's sustainability as a highly promising multi-purpose crop for the future.

Hemp Seeds (Cannabis sativa L.) as a Valuable Source of Natural Ingredients for Functional Foods—A Review

“…Consequently, although hemp seeds contain antinutritional factors, recent research highlights that fermentation and germination processes can be efficient solutions for the optimal utilization of proteins and nutrients from these seeds [56]. These findings lead to a more efficient exploitation of the nutritional potential of hemp seeds in food systems, thus promoting a healthy and varied diet [11].…”

“…Also, hemp seeds and their derived products have gained significant popularity among consumers, due to their superior nutritional profile. Hemp seeds can be consumed as whole seeds, shelled, or integrated (hempseed-derived products) into a wide range of food products [11].…”

“…Therefore, industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) becomes an attractive source of plant protein [1,9], as it does not trigger food allergies and is safe for individuals with celiac disease [10]. Hemp stands out as a renewable resource [3] with promising potential [11], attracting interest due to its versatile use [3], rapid growth [12], low capital investment [13] compared to other crops, and positive environmental impact [5]. Cultivated for thousands of years in China, Asia, and later in Europe, industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) was primarily used in the textile industry.…”

“…Currently, the largest hemp-producing countries in Europe include France, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Romania [17]. Previous studies, carried out in the last five years, have reviewed the conventional and innovative extraction protocols of bioactive compounds [3,20], the evaluation of the quality of protein from hemp seeds [21], therapeutic effects [22], industrial uses [5,15,17,23,24], the characterization of hemp oil [25], the sustainability of industrial hemp [11,14,26], and the nutritional and chemical composition of hemp seeds [3,27,28].…”

Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in forest management and biodiversity conservation

“…They have a significant impact on worldwide food security by providing assistance to pollinators, natural enemies of agricultural pests, and the hydrological cycle [21] . They serve as a significant reservoir of medicinal flora and contribute around 40% of the world's sustainable energy in the form of biofuels [22] . Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining the hydrological balance of different ecosystems and enhancing their ability to withstand catastrophic events like floods and droughts [23] .…”