The Seeds of Industrial Hemp (<i>Cannabis Sativa</i> L.) a Source of Minerals and Biologically Active Compounds
Karolina Barčauskaitė, Renaldas Žydelis, R. Ruzgas, Aušra Bakšinskaitė, Vita Tilvikienė
Abstract
The study aims to investigate industrial hemp growing potential in the Nordic-Baltic region, to assess the impact of various agrotechnological measures on macro: calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and micronutrient: boron, iron, manganese, copper, zinc accumulation in hemp seeds, and to determine biologically active compounds and beneficial elements: elements cobalt, aluminum, sodium accumulation trends. Obtained results indicate that hemp seeds are rich in K (0.69–0.90%) followed by P (0.41–0.51%), Mg (0.42–0.46%), and Ca (0.10–0.19%). It was determined that Fe (181–334 mg/kg) was the main abundant microelement followed by Mn (58–81 mg/kg), Zn (55–68 mg/kg), Cu (13–20 mg/kg), and B (7–16 mg/kg) independently from applied agrotechnological measures. The amount of biologically active compounds ranged from 6.55 to 12.39 mg/gRUE and from 2.52 to 4.74 mg/gRUE, respectively, for TPC and TFC. A significant amount of beneficial elements Al (6.0–12.6 mg/kg) and Na (0.90–16.1 mg/kg) except Co were obtained. Results presented in this study indicate that seeds of industrial hemp grown in the Nordic-Baltic region could be considered as an important source of essential minerals and biologically active compounds.