Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil: analytical and phytochemical characterization of the unsaponifiable fraction

J Agric Food Chem. 2014 Feb 5;62(5):1105-10. doi: 10.1021/jf404278q. Epub 2014 Jan 23.

Abstract

Non-drug varieties of Cannabis sativa L., collectively namely as "hemp", have been an interesting source of food, fiber, and medicine for thousands of years. The ever-increasing demand for vegetables oils has made it essential to characterize additional vegetable oil through innovative uses of its components. The lipid profile showed that linoleic (55%), α-linolenic (16%), and oleic (11%) were the most abundant fatty acids. A yield (1.84-1.92%) of unsaponifiable matter was obtained, and the most interesting compounds were β-sitosterol (1905.00 ± 59.27 mg/kg of oil), campesterol (505.69 ± 32.04 mg/kg of oil), phytol (167.59 ± 1.81 mg/kg of oil), cycloartenol (90.55 ± 3.44 mg/kg of oil), and γ-tocopherol (73.38 ± 2.86 mg/100 g of oil). This study is an interesting contribution for C. sativa L. consideration as a source of bioactive compounds contributing to novel research applications for hemp seed oil in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic food, and other non-food industries.

MeSH terms

  • Cannabis / chemistry*
  • Phytosterols / analysis
  • Plant Oils / chemistry*
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Sitosterols / analysis
  • Tocopherols / analysis
  • Triterpenes / analysis

Substances

  • Phytosterols
  • Plant Oils
  • Sitosterols
  • Triterpenes
  • gamma-sitosterol
  • Tocopherols
  • cycloartenol