Search Results (26)

Plant-derived materials previously regarded as low-value by-products are increasingly investigated as sources of bioactive compounds, yet hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) leaves remain underutilized despite their rich phytochemical profile. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the in vitro antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of methanolic extracts obtained from the leaves and inflorescences of four hemp cultivars (Finola, Futura 75, Dioica, and Kompolti). Antioxidant capacity (AC) was assessed using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays, while total phenolic content was determined spectrophotometrically. Inflorescences exhibited significantly higher total phenolic content than leaves, with the highest values observed in the Finola cultivar. In contrast, leaf extracts showed greater radical-scavenging capacity in the ABTS and DPPH assays, whereas inflorescences demonstrated higher ferric ion–reducing power in the FRAP assay. Both cultivar and plant part had a significant effect on all evaluated parameters. Overall, hemp leaves and inflorescences displayed distinct and complementary antioxidant profiles in vitro, with Kompolti and Finola leaves characterized by strong radical-scavenging activity and Finola inflorescences showing the highest reducing capacity. These findings provide a comparative characterization of hemp morphological parts with respect to phenolic content and antioxidant behavior, highlighting the potential value of leaves as a source of bioactive compounds. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of selenium (Se) biofortification on growth, biomass accumulation, and micronutrient composition of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L., cv. Finola) microgreens, with emphasis on Se uptake and its distribution among leaves, stems, and roots. Microgreens were subjected to four Se treatments (Se_0, Se_2, Se_4, and Se_6 µmol Se/L), and changes in morphological traits, micronutrient status (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn), and Se accumulation were assessed. Selenium biofortification had a marked impact on plant morphology and biomass. Stem length decreased by 12–18% under Se treatments compared with the control, whereas root length increased slightly, particularly at Se_2 and Se_4 (up to +6%). Fresh industrial hemp microgreens biomass responded strongly to Se supply, with the highest stem, root, and total fresh mass recorded at Se_4—representing an increase of 15–22% relative to control plants. At the highest Se level (Se_6), biomass declined by approximately 10–14%, indicating potential growth inhibition at excessive Se concentrations. Micronutrient concentrations were significantly affected by Se. Leaf Mn increased from 152 mg kg⁻¹ at Se_0 to 175 mg kg⁻¹ at Se_6 (+15%), while leaf Zn decreased by 20–25% at higher Se exposure. Stems and roots showed similar antagonistic interactions, with Fe and Zn decreasing by up to 30% at elevated Se levels. Conversely, Mn in stems and roots increased with Se up to Se_4, reaching 400 mg kg⁻¹ in roots. Selenium accumulation exhibited a strong linear response to biofortification, with high coefficients of determination (R² = 0.9685–0.9943), confirming predictable and efficient Se uptake. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations among biomass-related traits and distinct interactions among micronutrients, especially the near-perfect correlation between Se and Cu in roots (r ≈ 0.99). Overall, industrial hemp microgreens demonstrate potential for selenium biofortification, provided that selenium application levels remain within safe dietary limits. Full article

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. It is a wind-pollinated and heterozygous species, and diverse phenotypes can occur within population varieties. In our study, three different hemp varieties—(‘Carmagnola Selected’ (CS), ‘Tiborszallasi’ (TS) and ‘Finola selection’ (FS))—were grown. Based on visual characteristics, two, five and four phenotypes were identified within CS, TS and FS, respectively. According to Cannabis sativa L. transcriptome data from the Sequence Read Archive (SRA), 4631 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) positions were identified to develop capture probes. DNA was isolated from 171 plants representing selected phenotypes of three cultivars. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) libraries were constructed and hybridized with capture probes for target enrichment. The population structure of the samples was analyzed using SNP data for each genotype. Based on genotype profiles, CS formed a single cluster, while TS and FS were each grouped into two clusters, with phenotypes randomly distributed among them. The GWAS results were visualized using Manhattan plots. Fourteen significant SNPs surpassing the false discovery rate (FDR) of 0.01 were identified for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC). For cannabigerol (CBG), 12 significant SNPs were detected, and for myrcene, one SNP exceeded the 0.01 FDR threshold. However, plausible genes located 1000 bp to the left and right of the SNP position were identified for all significant SNPs. Full article

The growing interest in Cannabis sativa as a highly used crop is present worldwide. There are limited data about the effect of potassium (K) fertilizer on industrial hemp yield for dual purposes (seed and stem production). The current study aimed to investigate the influence of adding two different K fertilizers, KCl and K₂SO₄, at two growth stages (flowering and ripening) on the productivity and chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) of Cannabis sativa, variety Finola. Before sowing, different K treatments were applied: K₁—100 kg ha⁻¹ KCl (60% K) and K₂—100 kg ha⁻¹ K₂SO₄ (52% K, S 17%). The OJIP (O stands for “origin” (minimal fluorescence), P for “peak” (maximum fluorescence), and J and I for inflection points between the O and P levels) data were recorded and used for ChlF transients and individual ChlF parameters during vegetation. At harvest, the stem morphology parameters and yield (plant height, stem weight and diameter, and stem and seed yield), tensile strength, and the modulus of elasticity were determined. The results show the sensitivity of minimal (F₀) and maximal fluorescence (F_m), electron transport from Q_A to intersystem electron acceptors (ET₀/(TR₀ − ET₀)), and electron transport flux until PSI acceptors (RE₀/RC) to K fertilization. The parameters that described electron transport (ET₀/RC, ψE_0, and φE₀), performance index on absorption basis (PI_ABS, TR₀/DI₀, and φP₀), dissipation (DI₀/RC), and electron transport to photosystem I (φR₀ and δR₀/(1 − δR₀)) had a reaction only at the growth stage, indicating a change in their activity during the aging of the Cannabis sativa plants. The average stem height was 67.5 cm, and the stem diameter was 0.41 cm. The different K sources did not significantly influence the stem height and diameter, nor the dry stem (on average 12.2 t ha⁻¹) and seed yield (on average 1.85 t ha⁻¹). The tensile strength of individual hemp stems was the highest with K₂SO₄ (53.32 MPa) and the lowest with KCl (49.25 MPa). The stem stiffness by modulus of elasticity was about 5 GPa on average for all the treatments. In general, the photosynthetic parameters in this study varied more between the growth stages than between the different K fertilizer formulations. Moreover, based on the results of this study, it can be recommended to use both fertilizers, KCl and K₂SO₄, in dual-purpose industrial hemp production since no significant effect was found for the stem morphometric and biomechanical parameters as well as for the agronomic parameters. Full article

Cold-pressed hemp oils are characterized by an intense color, which is undesirable when used directly. Therefore, research was undertaken on removing chlorophyll and carotenoids effectively. This publication presents the results of tests that verified the adsorption properties of seven bleaching earths (BE1–BE7) in two doses (2.5% and 5.0%) in the low-temperature bleaching process of hemp oils. These oils were obtained by cold and hot pressing of the seeds of three varieties of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.): Finola, Earlina 8FC, and Secuieni Jubileu. The color change and the content of carotenoid and chlorophyll pigments in the bleached oils were verified using the colorimetric method (CIE-Lab). The BEs used had different abilities to reduce the content of natural dyes connected with oil decolorization. The conducted research allowed us to characterize the influence of BEs on the organoleptic properties of the tested oils. Hemp oil obtained from the Secuieni Jubileu CP and HP hemp variety should be bleached with unmodified magnesian bentonite at 2.5%. Unmodified attapulgite clay is not recommended for this variety, as it strongly adsorbs carotenoids from the oil. Full article

Cannabis sativa L., subsp. ruderalis Janish., ‘Finola’ is a dioecious cultivar of Finnish origin. This cultivar is very interesting because its cultivation cycle lasts less than 3 months. The aim of this study was to define an efficient micropropagation protocol to ensure in vitro multiplication and rooting and in vivo acclimatization. Two different explant sources were tested: seed-derived in vitro explants and nodal segments containing axillary buds from selected mother plants. Shoot proliferation was tested on different growth media enriched with cytokinin alone or cytokinin in combination with auxins. Among all combinations, the best results were obtained by combining the Basal Medium (BM—a Murashige and Skoog modified medium) with sucrose (20 g L⁻¹), thidiazuron (TDZ 0.4 mg L⁻¹), and 1-naphthalenacetic acid (NAA 0.2 mg L⁻¹). Regarding rooting induction, the plants developed an extensive root system under red/blue lights on BM enriched with sucrose (30 g L⁻¹) and indol-3 butyric acid (0.1 mg L⁻¹), which allowed the survival of more than 90 percent of the plantlets once transplanted into the climate-controlled greenhouse. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli of animal origin presents a threat to human health. Although animals are not the primary source of human infections, humans may be exposed to AMR E. coli of animal origin and their AMR genes through the food chain, direct contact with animals, and via the environment. For this reason, AMR in E. coli from food producing animals is included in most national and international AMR monitoring programmes and is the subject of a large body of research. As pig farming is one of the largest livestock sectors and the one with the highest antimicrobial use, there is considerable interest in the epidemiology of AMR in E. coli of porcine origin. This literature review presents an overview and appraisal of current knowledge of AMR in commensal E. coli of the porcine gastrointestinal tract with a focus on its evolution during the pig lifecycle and the relationship with antimicrobial use. It also presents an overview of the epidemiology of resistance to extended spectrum cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and colistin in pig production. The review highlights the widespread nature of AMR in the porcine commensal E. coli population, especially to the most-used classes in pig farming and discusses the complex interplay between age and antimicrobial use during the pig lifecycle. Full article

Hemp cultivation faces challenges due to the adoption of dioecious cultivars, which suffer from biomass loss and fibre heterogeneity. In contrast, monoecious cultivars offer simultaneous fibre and seed production, albeit with lower fibre quality. Understanding the drying characteristics and storage requirements of hemp seeds is crucial for effective post-harvest management. This study explored the moisture sorption and desorption isotherms of two common Canadian hemp seed varieties, Altair (dioecious) and CanMa (monoecious), by using both saturated salt solution (SSS) and thin-layer drying methods. Their isotherms were also compared with the published isotherm of Finola—a common dioecious variety in Europe. The thin-layer drying method yielded higher EMC values than the SSS method due to incomplete equilibrium attainment. Larger EMC differences existed between different seed types (dioecious vs. monoecious), and this difference was small between the same seed types (dioecious vs. dioecious). The GAB equation provided the most accurate prediction of equilibrium moisture contents for both varieties. Full article

Cannabis sativa (hemp) seeds are considered a functional food for their favorable contents of essential fatty acids, proteins and antioxidants. Beyond phenolics and carotenoids, the bioactivity of proteins has recently been investigated. However, plant genotype and environmental conditions can affect quantity and quality of macronutrients and phytochemicals in seeds, influencing their nutraceutical properties. In this study, the effects of plant variety and seed origin on the protein profile and antioxidant activity of hemp seeds were evaluated. Seeds from two cultivars, Secuieni Jubileu and Finola, were harvested from a mountain field located in Italy and compared with reference seeds used for sowing. Albumin and globulin extracts were obtained using the Osborne method and their antioxidant power was assayed (DPPH and ABTS methods). A matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry method was developed for protein fingerprinting analysis. Albumins from seeds of the mountain site showed higher radical scavenging activity and compounds of lower molecular weight than reference seeds, suggesting a role of proteins in the observed bioactivity. The MALDI-TOF method discriminated samples according to origin and variety, highlighting changes in the protein profile and identifying signals which could be used as markers of hemp cultivars. Full article

Many refined oils from soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower, among others, are available on the food market, except olive oil. Refining, on the small production scale of niche oils, is not used due to the high cost of the refining process. Unrefined oils are characterized by intense taste, odor, color, and undesirable nutrients. The problem to be solved is determining the effects of incomplete refining of niche oils on their composition. One process, which does not require the use of complex apparatus, is the bleaching process. The results presented in this article relate to the research stage, in which the aim is to evaluate the changes occurring in the oil due to the low-temperature bleaching process with different process parameters. The presented research results provide evidence of the absence of adverse changes in the fatty acid profile of hemp oil of the varieties ‘Finola’, ‘Earlina 8FC’, and ‘Secuieni Jubileu’. Seven different types of bleaching earth were used to bleach the oil in amounts of 2.5 and 5 g/100 g of vegetable oil. The fatty acid profile was obtained by gas chromatography (GC-FID). The obtained chromatograms were subjected to statistical analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The results show that there was no effect of the type of bleaching earth and its amount on the change in the fatty acid profile of bleached oils. Only real differences between the types of hemp oils were observed. However, an overall positive effect of the bleaching process on hemp oil was found. The amount of saturated fatty acid (SFA) was reduced by 17.1% compared with the initial value, resulting in an increase in the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) by 4.4%, resulting in an unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) proportion of 90%. There was a significant improvement in the SFA/PUFA ratio by 26% over the baseline, and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio by 8.9% to a value of 3.1:1. The new knowledge from this study is evidence of the positive effect of the low-temperature bleaching process on the fatty acid profile. In contrast, the parameters of the bleaching process itself are not significant. Full article

Non-intoxicating Cannabis sativa L. (i.e., hemp) is increasingly used for industrial, cosmetic and food applications. Despite the fact that the EU has not yet established a regulatory framework on hazardous compounds (i.e., toxic inorganic elements), the monitoring of cannabis products is of paramount importance to safeguard consumers, also in view of the species propensity to accumulate toxic metals from the environment. The aim of this work was to assess the compliance with Law n. 242/2016 and the safety of hemp inflorescences from different varieties and Italian regions by monitoring the main cannabinoids and trace elements. All samples complied with the Italian law due to a THC content <0.6% counterbalanced by high CBD levels. However, inflorescences grown in Apulia and Lombardy, and from Finola and Tiborzallasi varieties accumulated higher Cu, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb contents than products from other producing areas (i.e., Sicily and Latium) and varieties (i.e., Antal, Futura75, Kompolti and Carmagnola), being moreover above the limits set by the US Pharmacopeia. A principal component analysis confirmed that trace elements, including toxic metals, were mainly affected by the geographical origin more than the botanical variety. Overall, this study highlights the need to continuously monitor hemp products and establish the earliest related regulatory frameworks. Full article

Climate change and the declining state of the planet’s ecosystems, due mainly to a global resource-driven economy and the consumptive lifestyles of the wealthy, are impacting the health and well-being of all Earth’s inhabitants. Although ‘planetary health’ was coined in 1980, it was only in the early 2000s that a call came for a paradigm shift in medical education to include the impact of ecosystem destabilization and the increasing prevalence of vector-borne diseases. The medical education response was, however, slow, with the sustainable healthcare and climate change educational agenda driven by passionate academics and clinicians. In response, from about 2016, medical students have taken action, developing much-needed learning outcomes, resources, policies, frameworks, and an institutional audit tool. While the initial medical education focus was climate change and sustainable healthcare, more recently, with wider collaboration and engagement (Indigenous voices, students, other health professions, community), there is now planetary health momentum. This chronological account of the evolution of planetary health in medical education draws on the extant literature and our (an academic, students, and recent graduates) personal experiences and interactions. Advancing this urgent educational agenda, however, requires universities to support inclusive transdisciplinary collaboration among academics, students and communities, many of whom are already champions and eco-ethical leaders, to ensure a just and sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. Full article

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play an important role in plant ecology and can be useful in pest management. This work characterises, for the first time, the VOC emissions of six industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars grown in New Zealand: CFX-2, CRS-1, Ferimon 12, Katani, Futura 75, and Finola. Volatiles emitted from flowers and foliage of eight-week-old plants were collected using a dynamic headspace sampling method and analysed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. We assessed the effect of cultivar, sex (monoecious, male, and female), and site (i.e., two sites differing in soil types, maintained under irrigation and rain-fed conditions) on VOC emissions. Thirty-five volatile compounds were tentatively identified from the headspace samples of hemp plants, but none of the cultivars emitted all 35 compounds. β-Myrcene was the most abundant compound in most cultivars. Overall, there was a significant effect of sex, and the interaction of sex and cultivar on the volatile profiles, but no effect of site. Female plants typically emitted more volatiles than their male counterparts and monoecious cultivars. The main compounds driving the difference between cultivars and sexes were (Z)- and (E)-β-ocimene. We hypothesize that differences in emission emerged as a defence strategy to protect costly female flowers from herbivores (since C. sativa is wind pollinated), but this hypothesis needs further testing. We recommend additional studies exploring how biotic and abiotic factors influence hemp VOC emissions, changes in VOCs throughout the crop cycle, the role of VOCs in plant-insect interactions and their use in pest management. Full article

Unrefined vegetable oils from niche oilseeds are now sought after by consumers because of their unique nutritional properties and taste qualities. The color and flavor intensity of niche oils is a big problem, and their refining is not industrially feasible due to the small production scale. The study undertaken aimed analyze the effect of changing the amount of phytosterols (PSs) after the bleaching process of hemp oils of the ‘Finola’, ‘Earlina 8FC’ and ‘Secuieni Jubileu’ varieties. Cold-pressed (C) and hot-pressed (H) crude vegetable oils were bleached with selected bleaching earth (BE) at two concentrations. The post-process BE was extracted with methanol. The amount of PSs in the crude oils and the extract after washing the BE with methanol was analyzed by GC (gas chromatography). The study shows that the bleaching process did not significantly affect the depletion of PSs in the oils. Trace amounts of PSs remain on the BE and, due to methanol extraction, can be extracted from the oil. The conclusion of the performed research is that the bleaching of hemp oil does not cause depletion of the oil, and it significantly improves organoleptic properties. The oil bleaching process results in an oil loss of less than 2% by weight of the bleached oil, while the loss depends on the type of BE used. The study shows that the loss of phytosterols after the bleaching process averages 2.69 ± 0.69%, and depends on the type of BE used and the oil extracted from different varieties of hemp seeds. Full article