Effect οf Genotype and Growing Year on the Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seeds

Abstract

Cannabis sativa L. seeds have been an important source of protein, oil, and dietary fiber for human and animals. Currently, there is a growing interest in the commercial products of these seeds, which are recognized as a legitimate source of medicaments, cosmeceuticals, and nutraceuticals. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant properties of seeds from seven hemp cultivars grown in Greece for three consecutive years. All the measured parameters strongly varied under the influence of growing year and genotype. In particular, protein, oil, and carbohydrates’ content of hemp seeds as well as fatty acids’ composition were mainly affected by genotype, whereas the growing year had a major effect on phytochemical components and antioxidant activity, which was determined by the 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate) (ABTS) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Moreover, a predominant effect of the year was observed for phenolic profiles as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and total carotenoids’ content. This study suggests that hemp seeds could be a promising food crop as a result of their high nutritive traits and antioxidant potential. A comparison of the studied cultivars, showed that Finola seeds had the highest oil and protein contents and, thus, appeared to be the most promising cultivar for cultivation in Greece.

A Review of Hemp as Food and Nutritional Supplement

“…68 Hempseeds provide *500-600 Kcal/100 g of product and are composed of approximately one-fourth of proteins, one-fourth of carbohydrates, and one-third of fat, 69 with some significant variations among different genotypes. 70 Hempseeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which also vary among different genotypes. One study of seven different hempseed cultivars (''Bialobrzeskie,'' ''Felina 32,'' ''Tygra 75,'' ''Futura 27,'' ''Santhica,'' ''Fedora 17,'' and ''Finola'') showed that ''Finola'' had the highest content of c linolenic and a-linolenic acids and the lowest content in oleic acid and saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic and stearic acids.…”

“…One study of seven different hempseed cultivars (''Bialobrzeskie,'' ''Felina 32,'' ''Tygra 75,'' ''Futura 27,'' ''Santhica,'' ''Fedora 17,'' and ''Finola'') showed that ''Finola'' had the highest content of c linolenic and a-linolenic acids and the lowest content in oleic acid and saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic and stearic acids. 70 Hempseed proteins represent a valuable source of sulfur-containing amino acid methionine and cystine and provide high quantities of arginine, an essential amino acid with beneficial cardiovascular properties. Accumulating evidence supporting the antihypertensive effect of hydrolyzed hempseed proteins, possibly mediated by inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme and renin, 71 provided the rationale for an ongoing human trial testing hemp protein powder as an antihypertensive nutritional intervention.…”

Bioavailability and Bioefficacy of Hemp By-Products in Ruminant Meat Production and Preservation: A Review

“…Hemp by-product oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values are, however, lower than αtocopherol (1,293 µm TE/g) (69), and ORAC values are thought to be more reflective of antioxidant capacity in biological systems (70). Phenol amides (i.e., N-trans-caffeoyl-tyramine), lignanamides (i.e., cannabisin A, B, and C) (46,71), tocopherols (42,61) and CBD (11) are the major elements contributing to the antioxidant capacity of hempseed by-products. Chen et al (71) and Irakli et al (46) narrowed this list to N-trans-caffeoyltyramine, cannabisin A, B, and C as the major antioxidant phenolic compounds of hemp.…”

Optimization of ultrasound‐assisted solvent extraction of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil using RSM: Evaluation of oxidative stability and physicochemical properties of oil

“…In addition, hemp seeds have a lot of natural antioxidants such as phenolic compounds, phytosterols, and tocopherols, which may play a role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer, lipid metabolism, dermatological diseases, and cardiovascular health, and prevent the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids (Irakli et al., 2019).…”