Cannabinoids content and fatty acids composition in twelve European fiber hemp varieties

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine cannabinoids content and fatty acids composition in twelve European fiber hemp varieties from Serbia, Romania, Hungary, Italy, Ukraine, France, Nederland and Poland. The CBD content in analysed varieties ranged from 0.00 to 1.96% and THC content was lower than the legal limit in EU. Total oil content in seeds of investigated varieties ranged from 25.09 to 34.09%. Fatty acid analysis showed that seed oil of all analyzed varieties is high in PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) ranging from 69.2 to 78.2% of the total fatty acids. Gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-6) ranged from 0.62 to 2.97% and omega-6/omega-3 ratio varied from 2.93 to 4.47. Obtained results indicate that all analysed hemp varieties are an excellent source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid. In addition, according to these results there is low risk of oil contamination with cannabinoids. Most of the analyzed varieties can be used as a source for CBD extraction.