Hempseed Oil Quality Parameters: Optimization of Sustainable Methods by Miniaturization

Mattia Rapa,Andrea Rocchi,Fabrizio D’Ascenzo,Giuliana Vinci,Roberto Ruggieri,Salvatore Ciano

doi:10.3390/su11113104

Abstract

Industrial Hemp, Cannabis sativa L., is characterized by low content of THC (<0.2%). An edible oil with excellent nutritional proprieties is obtained from cold pressing of hempseed. Since Hempseed oil is not reported in a Regulation yet, in order to ensure quality parameters, it is necessary to optimize standard methods (taken from the Regulation for EVOO). In this work, the standard method of quality parameters (free fatty acidity, peroxide number, and anisidine number) were miniaturized and optimized for Hempseed oil matrix. The miniaturized methods result in being sustainable, in environmental and economical perspectives, by using a smaller amount of chemicals (e.g., reagents, solvents), also reducing waste production and the sample needed in relation to the high cost of the Hempseed oil (60–70 €/L). The standard methods of miniaturization, carried out by using the Central Composite Design, allow for great saving of sample (5.35 g vs. 29 g) and reagents (up to 50%).

Highlights

Industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa L., is a herbaceous annual and its cultivation takes place in central Asia [1]
Since Hempseed oil is not reported in a Regulation yet, in order to ensure quality parameters, it is necessary to optimize standard methods
The organic free acidity parameter is the only included in the regulation of seed oils in Italy, which is used to distinguish an extra-virgin olive oil from a non-extra virgin

Summary

Introduction

Industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa L., is a herbaceous annual and its cultivation takes place in central Asia [1]. Industrial hemp is a versatile plant that can be cultivated in order to obtain fibers, seeds, and oil, and it can be used for food and nutraceutical purposes [3,4]. It is known that some cultivars, like Felina or Ferimon, contain less than 0.2% of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the whole plant [5]. These cultivars are mentioned in the EU Approved Common Catalogue of Cultivars [6] and can be planted in Europe. Every part of some specific cultivars of Cannabis sativa L. [6] can be used in food, from its leaves (e.g., in cake, bread) to its seeds, used to extract an edible oil

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