Safe storage times of FINOLA® hemp (Cannabis sativa) seeds with dockage

Abstract

Safe storage times of hemp seeds (cultivar: FINOLA®) were studied by storing the hemp seeds with three dockage levels (0, 5, and 15%) at four temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C), four relative humidities (50, 63, 75, and 92%) for up to 26 wk. To evaluate the safe storage time, the following storage parameters were measured or determined: seed germination, free fatty acid value (FAV) of seeds, and visible and invisible mold. Dockage percentages did not significantly influence equilibrium moisture content, FAV, germination loss and the time of the first appearance of visible and invisible mold and number of kernels infected by storage fungi. This non-influence was caused by the experimental setup because the heat and water produced by the spoiled hemp seeds with dockage were diffused out of the 1 kg sample. Hemp seeds with 15% dockage had slightly faster germination loss than that with lower percentages of dockage. The FAV of hemp seeds had a negative correlation with germination. Based on the time for 20% initial germination losses, the safe storage guidelines of stored bulks of hemp seeds were developed and mathematically modelled. The recommended safe storage moisture content was 8% under Canadian conditions. At 25 °C, the safe storage time was 20.8 and 2.8 wk if the hemp seeds without dockage had 8% and 14% moisture contents, respectively.