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.

Highlights

  • Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an ancient crop of Asian origin that has been traditionally cultivated in many regions of Europe for use as a textile, until the early twentieth century, after which its cultivation declined in most Western countries [1]

  • We have focused on hemp seeds, which are rich in nutritional and phytochemical components, and are regarded as nutraceuticals

  • The cultivation of industrial hemp in the same site in Greece for three years showed that the nutritional and phytochemical profile and, thereby, the level of the total antioxidant activity in industrial hemp seeds are affected by genotype and growing year

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Summary

Introduction

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an ancient crop of Asian origin that has been traditionally cultivated in many regions of Europe for use as a textile, until the early twentieth century, after which its cultivation declined in most Western countries [1]. Hemp seeds are mainly used as animal feed, but their products (oil, meal, flour, and protein powder) are gaining in the market with a growing interest in their usage for human nutrition. They can be served as a new, natural, and excellent source of nutrients, containing all the essential amino acids and fatty acids necessary to maintain a healthy human life [3].

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