Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is primarily a dioecious plant, and monoecious varieties developed for high yield. Production practices vary by varieties prompting the need for the present study aimed to describe the floral characteristics and evaluate pollen quantity and viability of a monoecious (Henola) and three dioecious (CFX-2, Canda, and Joey) varieties. All varieties have five lanceolate anthers, basifixed to a threadlike filament. Anther length was significantly different but not anther width among varieties. The longest length (0.38 ± 0.046 cm) was recorded in Henola, and shortest (0.34 ± 0.043 cm) in CFX-2. Anther width ranged from 0.088 ± 0.0024 to 0.095 ± 0.0021cm. Pollen grains were triporate and spheroidal in shape and size differed significantly with the largest in Joey (27.83 ± 0.78 μm) and Henola (27.489 ± 0.99 μm), and smallest in Canda (22.04 ± 0.56 μm). The number of pollen grains differed significantly among varieties ranging from 29,183 in Henola to 104,548 in Joey. Even though Henola recorded the lowest pollen number it had the highest percentage (69.3%) of viable pollen and Canda recorded the lowest. There was a moderate, positive and significant relationship (r = 0.496) between anther length and the number of pollen grains in Joey. The relationship in Henola was moderate and non-significant (r = 0.356), weak and non-significant in Canda (r = 0.188), and in CFX-2 (r = 0.037). The findings from our study provide information for growers and researchers on hemp breeding and cultivation practices that may contribute to prevent cross pollination.

(1) Background: In recent years, the increasing demand for alternative food shifted research toward new types of food sources. It is well known that many diseases are caused by oxidative stress, then supplementation of antioxidants can be proposed to reduce it. Cannabis Sativa (CS) is an interesting alternative source of antioxidant species. The use of CS for the extraction of these molecules could be optimized to maximize the antioxidant yield extracts. (2) Methods: This work aimed to investigate extraction methods of CBD oil from CS inflorescences and stalks to obtain antioxidant-enriched compounds for use in food by mixing with a carrier oil like hemp seed oil. Soxhlet (SE), dynamic maceration (DME) and supercritical fluid (SFE) extraction techniques were performed, using CS inflorescences and stalks; by High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis the antioxidants were individuated and quantified; moreover, the antioxidant power was investigated by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays and finally doughs enriched with hemp oil were studied by rheological measurements (3) Results: The best results in terms of CBD yield were obtained by dynamic maceration from only flowers and it also shows a good antioxidant power. (4) Conclusions: Formulation of protein bars with hemp oil enriched in CBD could be an excellent means for the consumption of products enriched with antioxidants because it preserves the CBD anti-inflammatory activity.

Wilted hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) plants were observed in August 2019 in commercial fields around Osijek, Croatia. Plants and roots with disease symptoms were collected. The single-spored isolates produced septate cottony white to light pink aerial mycelium and purple undersurface on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Smooth and hyaline hyphae were branched and septate. Macroconidia were fusiform to sickle-shaped with foot-shaped basal cell, elongated apical cell and three to five septa. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer and the partial elongation factor 1-α gene identified species as Fusarium oxysporum. Artificial infection fulfills Koch’s postulates, producing plants which showed stunted growth and wilt symptoms similar to those observed in the commercial fields. Control seedlings remained symptomless and healthy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of hemp Fusarium wilt causing F. oxysporum in Croatia. Considering that F. oxysporum has been reported in main field crops in Croatia, the presence of this pathogen could cause economically significant hemp production decreases, especially in humid and cold springs and susceptible varieties.

In this work, the capabilities of a novel miniaturized and portable MicroNIR spectrometer were investigated in order to propose a practical and intelligible test allowing the rapid and easy screening of cannabinoids in hemp flour. In order to develop a predictive model able to identify and simultaneously to quantify the residual amount of cannabinoids, specimens from flours commercially available on the markets were considered and spiked with increasing amount of Cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabigerol (CBG). Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) and Partial Least Square regression (PLSr) were applied for the simultaneously detection and quantification of cannabinoids. Results demonstrated that MicroNIR/Chemometric platform is statistically able to identify the presence of CBD, THC and CBG in simulated samples containing cannabinoids from 0.001 to 0.1 %ww, with the accuracy and sensitivity of the reference official methods actually proposed. The method was checked against false positive and true positive response and results proved to be those required for confirmatory analyses; permitting to provide a fast and accurate method for the monitoring of cannabinoids in hemp flours.

The edible portion of Cannabis sativa L. are the seeds. The seeds are generally used for the production of hemp oil, appreciated for the high percentage of α-linolenic acid. The waste obtained after seeds oil extraction, reduced in fine powder, is the subject of this study. Since hemp seeds are considered to be a source of many valuable bioactive compounds, the addition of hemp seed flour to durum wheat for making fortified bread could have an effect on the health of consumers. The aim of this study was to use variable percentages of hemp seed flour for the production of bread, and to determine the fortification impact on chemicals, texture, organoleptic characteristics, crumb color, changes in crumb texture, total polyphenols, free radical scavenging activity and amino acids contents. The rheological and chemical qualities of bread samples, obtained by using a durum wheat cultivar Ciclope fortified with defatted hemp seeds flours, were evaluated. The solid residue left after the extraction of the oil from seeds (generally thrown away as waste or added to feed) was shredded and sieved at 0.530 mm (Hemp 1) or 0.236 mm (Hemp 2). Samples of fortified breads were obtained by substitution of variable percentages of durum wheat flour with the two hemp flours (5%, 7.5%, and 10%). Fortified bread’s total phenolic content was in a range of 0.73±0.017 and 1.73±0.029 mg GAE/g and an-ti-radical scavenging activity was included in the range from 1.17±0.099 and 3.18±0.071mmol TEAC/100g, according to the increasing fortification. Comparison between bread made with Ciclope semolina and hemp flour fortified breads, showed a large increase in amino acid content in fortified samples ones. In particular, bread fortified with 10% Hemp 2 flour highlights a greater content of glutamic acid, tyrosine, proline and essential amino acids such as leucine and isoleucine, compared to the other samples with same percentage of substitution. The amount of hemp seed flour influenced the color of the crumb by increasing the yellow index from 18.24 (100% Ciclope) to 21.33 (bread with Hemp 2 flour at 5%).

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an annual plant belonging to the family of Cannabaceae with several varieties characterised by different fatty acid profiles, content in flavonoids, polyphenols and cannabinoid compounds. Hemp is mostly used in livestock nutrition as oil or as protein cake, not as inflorescences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary hemp inflorescences on milk yield and composition in grazing goats. Twenty goats (Camosciata delle Alpi), after kidding, were equally divided into two groups (G: Grazing and GH: grazing and hemp), homogeneous for milk yield in the previous lactation, parity and live weight. For three months, all goats were fed on a permanent pasture and received 700/head/day of concentrate (barley, oats and faba bean); diet of group GH was supplemented with 20 g/head/day of hemp inflorescences. Pasture DM intake was estimated according to previous research performed in the same area. In addition, goats’ body weight did not change along the trial meaning that their energy requirements were guaranteed. Individual milk yield was daily registered and samples collected every 20 days for chemical com-position (Milkoscan) and fatty acid profile (Gas Chromatography). The data were analysed by ANOVA (GLM procedure of SAS, 2000), for repeated measure. No significant differences were found for milk yield and chemical composition. Lauric acid (C12:0) was significantly higher in milk of group GH (4.83% vs 4.32%; P<0.01) as well as total conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) (0.435% vs 0.417%; P<0.01).

The present manuscript describes the use of natural fibers as natural and sustainable reinforcement agents for advanced biobased composite materials for strategic sectors, such as construction. The characterization carried up have shown the potential of both hemp and linseed natural fibers and their composites to be used as insulation materials. Nevertheless, linseed shows better mechanical performance and hemp a higher fire resistance. Demonstrating that although natural fibers have similar properties each of them should be used specifically for a purpose. Besides the work also evaluates the use of bio matrixes in composites, demonstrating their feasibility and how they impact the properties of the final material, our bio resin enhances fire resistance and decrease the water absorption capacity of the natural fibers. Enabling the use of such composites as a final product. Therefore, it has been demonstrated that it is possible to manufacture a biocomposite with non woven natural fibers. In fact, for properties such as thermal conductivity, they are able to compete with current materials. Proving that biomaterials are a suitable solution for developing sustainable products fulfilling the requirements of the end user applications.

This study investigates the utilization of innovative green composites made from hemp shiv, a waste by-product of hemp cultivation, with the aim of promoting sustainability within the construction industry. The manufacturing method involve the application of pressure in a mold to create the samples. These materials were produced using an environmentally friendly binder consisting of colophony, arabic gum and corn starch, moreover white glue and bioepoxy are also used to compare with the green resins. Three different binder compositions for the specimens. The samples underwent mechanical testing through tensile and bending assessments, and their performance was compared to that of non-green binders to validate the effectiveness of the manufacturing processes. The study revealed that decreasing the moisture content during the curing process is crucial for improving the mechanical properties. The best results were achieved when using arabic gum as a binder, yielding a tensile strength of 2.16 MPa and a bending strength of 5.25 MPa, with a composition of 62.5% hemp shiv and a manufacturing process involving a pressure of 5 MPa.

Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic disorder caused by an excessive response to androgens. This alopecia is the most common cause of progressive hair loss in men and causes low self-esteem in patients. In this study we used various methods, including quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry, to evaluate the biological effects of germinated hemp seeds extract and exosomes derived from calli of germinated hemp seeds. This research reveals pre-ventive functions of two biomaterials (GE2000: 2000 ug/mL germinated hemp seeds extract; E40: 40 ng/mL exosomes derived from calli of germinated hemp seeds) for androgenetic alopecia through three biochemical categories: genetic modulation in hair follicle dermal papilla stem cells (HFDPSCs), cellular differentiation, and modulation of immune systems. Despite exposure to dihydrotestosterone (DT), two materials upregulated alopecia preventing genes including Wnt, β-catenin, and TCF in HFDPSCs. Conversely, alopecia activating genes (STAT1, 5α-reductase type 1, and IL-15R) were suppressed. Moreover, two materials suppressed alopecia genes (NKG2DL, IL2-Rβ, JAK1, and STAT1) in CD8+ T cells. Notably, E40 was effected more in-tensely in these biochemical categories than those of GE2000. Consequently, E40 and GE2000 ef-fectively prevented DT stress. Additionally, two materials activated mechanisms for hair for-mation through the biological activities of three categories.

The global construction sector contributes a significant share of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Australia, infrastructure activity alone generates 18% of the GHG emissions budget. The use of low-embodied carbon building materials is crucial to achieving sustainability in the construction sector and to fulfill national and international climate goals. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is considered a promising feedstock for sustainable construction materials because of its biogenic carbon content, fast-growing cycles with low agricultural input requirements, and technical functionality which is comparable to traditional materials. This study has applied the life cycle assessment (LCA) guideline of ISO 14040:2006 to estimate the carbon footprint (CF) expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions of hemp-based building materials in Western Australia. The functional unit is 1 m2 of hemp-based board, and the system boundary includes cradle-to-gate stages, i.e., pre-farm, on-farm, and post-farm activities. The production of 1 m2 of hemp-based board is estimated to be - 2.302 kgCO2eq. Electricity from the public grid for lignin extraction during the post-farm stage is the main contributor to total CO2eq emissions (26%), followed by urea production (14%) during the pre-farm stage. Overall, the use of electricity from the SWIS during the post-farm stage accounts for 45% of total emissions. Sensitivity analysis shows that the CF of hemp-based boards is highly sensitive to the source of energy, i.e., total replacement of the SWIS by solar power decreases the CF from - 2.30 to -6.07 kgCO2eq (164%). The results suggest that hemp-based boards exhibit lower embodied GHG emissions compared to traditional materials, such as gypsum plasterboards.

To mitigate pyrethroid resistance in mosquito vectors of emerging and re-emerging human pathogens, there is an urgent need to discover insecticides with novel modes of action. Natural alternatives, such as extracts derived from plants, may serve as substitutes for traditional synthetic insecticides if they prove to be sustainable, cost-effective, and safe for non-target organisms. Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is a sustainable plant known to produce various secondary metabolites with insecticidal properties, including terpenoids and flavonoids. The goal of this study was to assess the larvicidal activity of hemp leaf extract on 1st instar mosquito larvae from both pyrethroid-susceptible (PS) and pyrethroid-resistant (PR) strains of Aedes aegypti Another goal was to identify which components of the extracts were responsible for any observed larvicidal activity. We found that methanol extract of hemp leaves induced similar concentration-dependent larvicidal activity against PS (LC50: 4.4 ppm) and PR (LC50: 4.3 ppm) strains within 48 hours. Partitioning of the dried leaf extract between methanol and revealed that full larvicidal activity was restricted to the methanol fraction. Analysis of this fraction by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance showed it to be dominated by cannabidiol (CBD). Larvicidal assays using authentic CBD confirmed this compound was primarily responsible for the toxicity of hemp leaf extract against both strains. We conclude that hemp leaf extracts and CBD have the potential to serve as viable sources for the development of novel mosquito larvicides.

Multi-cropping is becoming an increasingly popular approach in agriculture to tackle major and complex agroecosystem problems such as biodiversity and soil fertility losses, erosion and degradation, increased greenhouse gas emissions, etc. Comprehensive assessment of the impact of multi-cropping intensity on the agroecosystem is a new and still under-researched approach that provides a better understanding of the impact of the individual indicators studied on the overall functioning of the biodiversed agroecosystems. Data from a stationary field experiment with multi-cropping at the Vytautas Magnus University, Experimental Station between 2020 and 2022 were used to achieve this objective. The study included maize, hemp and faba bean as single, binary, and ternary crops. A complex assessment approach (CEI value) was used to determine the impact of these diversified crops on the agroecosystem, the interrelationships between the main indicators and the strength of their effects. It was found that the most positive effect on agroecosystem had ternary maize-hemp-faba bean crop. The effectiveness of other crops was from 2 to 35% less. The lowest one was calculated for the maize-faba bean crop.

Cannabis is among the oldest human domesticates and has been subjected to intensive artificial (human-mediated) selection throughout history to create a wide array of varieties and biotypes for diverse uses, including fibre, food, biofuel, medicine and drugs. This paper briefly reviews the available literature on the taxonomy, evolutionary origin and domestication of this plant, as well as its worldwide dispersal, in both its wild and cultivated forms. Emphasis is placed on Europe and especially on the Iberian Peninsula. Today, it is accepted that Cannabis is a monospecific genus with two subspecies, C. sativa subsp. sativa and C. sativa subsp. indica, originating in Europe and Asia, respectively, by allopatric differentiation after geographic isolation fostered by Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles. Palynological and phylogeographic evidence situates the Cannabis ancestor on the NE Tibetan Plateau during the mid-Oligocene. The timing and place of domestication is still a matter of debate between contrasting views that defend single or multiple Neolithic domestication centres situated in different parts of the Eurasian supercontinent, notably central/southeastern China and the Caucasus region. Recent meta-analyses have suggested that wild Cannabis may have already been spread across Europe in the Pleistocene, and its domestication could have occurred during the European Copper/Bronze ages. According to the available reviews and meta-analyses, pre-anthropic dispersal of Cannabis into the Iberian Peninsula seems to have occurred only in postglacial times, and the earlier signs of cultivation date to the Early Medieval Ages. However, the palynological and archaeological evidence used to date is insufficient for a sound assessment, and the development of thorough Iberian databases to address further meta-analysis is essential for more robust conclusions. Some clues are provided for these achievements to be fulfilled.

Plants, including Cannabis (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa) host distinct beneficial microbial communities on and inside their tissues, designated the plant microbiota from the moment that they are planted into the soil as seed. They contribute to plant growth promotion, facilitating mineral nutrient uptake, inducing defense resistance against pathogens, higher yield and modulating plant secondary metabolites. Understanding the microbial partnerships with Cannabis has the potential to affect agricultural practices by improving plant fitness and the production yield of cannabinoids. Much less is known about this beneficial Cannabis-microbe partnership, and the complex relationship between the endogenous microbes associated with various tissues of the plant, particularly, the role that cannabis may play in supporting or enhancing them. This review will focus on Cannabis microbiota studies and the effect of endophytes on the elicitation of secondary metabolites production in Cannabis plants. The aim of this review is to shed light on the importance of Cannabis microbiome and how cannabinoid compounds concentration can be stimulated through symbiotic and or mutualistic relationships with endophytes.

Synthesis of activated carbon from waste biomass is of current interest towards sustainability. The properties of biomass derived activated carbon largely depends on the carbonization process. This study reports preparing extremel high surface area mesoporous activated carbon from hemp bast fibre using hydrothermal processing. Processing in hot water (390-500^oC), then activation using KOH and NaOH was investigated at different loading ratios. The described approach was found to enhance the mesoporosity (centered at 3.0 to 4.5 nm) of the hemp derived activated carbon (HAC) from activation (confirmed by BJH pore size distribution and TEM imaging). BET results showed that the product has an extremely high surface area (2425 m²/g) while the surface functional groups (-OH, COOH, C=C/C-C) were confirmed and quantified by XPS and FTIR results. Increasing KOH concentration was found to enhance the surface area with an optimum biochar to KOH ratio of 1:3. The crystallite domain size of HAC was determined using Raman spectroscopy of different wavelengths. The procedure described in this study is an environmentally friendly scalable route for the mass production of activated carbon using hemp fiber.

The increased cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. in North America, represented by high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-containing (high-THC) cannabis genotypes and low THC-containing hemp genotypes, has been impacted by an increasing number of plant pathogens. These include fungi which destroy roots, stems and leaves, in some cases causing a build-up of populations and mycotoxins in the inflorescences that can negatively impact quality. Viroids and viruses have also increased in prevalence and severity and can reduce plant growth and product quality. Rapid diagnosis of the occurrence and spread of these pathogens is critical. Techniques in the area of molecular diagnostics have been applied to study these pathogens in both cannabis and hemp. These include polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technologies, including RT-PCR, multiplex RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, and ddPCR, as well as whole genome sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics. In this study, examples of how these technologies have enhanced the rapidity and sensitivity of pathogen diagnosis on cannabis and hemp will be illustrated. These molecular tools have also enabled studies on the diversity and origins of specific pathogens, specifically viruses and viroids, and these will be illustrated. Comparative studies on the genomics and metabolomics of healthy and diseased plants are urgently needed to provide insight into their impact on quality and composition of cannabis and hemp-derived products. Management of these pathogens will require monitoring of their spread and survival using the appropriate technologies to allow accurate detection, followed by appropriate implementation of disease control measures.

This study investigates the influence of the porous structure, on the density and the mechanical behaviour of new foam concretes incorporating hemp shives. A total of eight batches of foam concretes were manufactured and tested, made with a protein-based foam agent, containing cement, ground granulated blast furnace slag and Metakaolin as binder and hemp shives as natural aggregate. The effect of several parameters is studied, elaboration method (direct and preformed), amount of pozzolanic additions (0% and 30%) and incorporation of hemp shives (5 and 15 vol%) on the resulting physical properties, microstructure, porous structure and mechanical behaviour of the concretes. Hemp shives incorporation results in increased concrete porosity and air bubble radius, decreased uniformity and mechanical strength, and lower cohesion with the cement matrix compared to standard concretes.

Background: Dietary fiber is a key component of a health-promoting diet, and it is acknowledged as a short-fall nutrient in most Western diets. Some sources of dietary fiber, such as hemp hull fiber, also include inherent small molecule bioactives that further promote health and well-being. While dietary fiber is a key component that supports digestive health, it also can cause digestive discomfort. Digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, belly pain, and the resulting decrease in digestive quality of life are common among adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in digestive comfort, in individuals who currently experience digestive discomfort, after consuming either a proprietary dietary fiber supplement from hemp hull, a dietary fiber supplement made from inulin, or a digestible control (maltodextrin). Methods: This study was a completely virtual, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of healthy adults. The parallel arm study tested two fiber supplements at a practical dose yielding a “Good Source of Fiber” based on United States Dietary Reference Intakes (2.8 grams of fiber per day) for six weeks. Results Five hundred seventy nine randomized participants provided follow-up outcomes data. Digestion-associated quality of life questionnaire, belly pain, and gas and bloating scores were assessed and found to be superior after hemp hull fiber intake compared to inulin intake at multiple time points in a post-hoc analysis (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion This study demonstrated that a practical dose of bioactive-rich fiber from hemp hull is well-tolerated, provides superior digestive comfort relative to both placebo and inulin fiber, and can aid in reaching total fiber intake goals.

Documenting prehistoric and historical hemp retting for fiber extraction is important in the study of human uses of this iconic plant and its cultural implications. In paleoecology, hemp retting is usually inferred from indirect proxies, notably anomalously high percentages of Cannabis pollen in lake sediments, but some recent studies have also used specific molecular biomarkers (cannabinol, Cannabis DNA) as a more straightforward evidence. Here we provide direct evidence of hemp retting by identifying phylogenetic signatures (16S rRNA genes) from pectinolytic bacteria actually responsible for the fermentation process that separates the fiber from the stalk, namely Bacillus, Clostridium, Escherichia, Massilia, Methylobacterium, Pseusomonas, Rhizobium and Rhodobacter. These analyses have been performed in the sediments from an Iberian lake previously considered as an important hemp retting site during the last five centuries, on the basis of Cannabis pollen abundances. The good match between biomarker and pollen evidence, in the context of the recent historical development of hemp industry in Spain, can be useful to interpret paleoecological records from other similar lakes in the way toward a more regional view on the introduction, spreading, uses and associated cultural connotations of Cannabis in the Iberian Peninsula within European and Mediterranean contexts.

This study aimed to obtain and characterize extracted hemp oil enriched in cannabidiol (CBD) by decarboxylation of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and to give new insights into its antioxidant and anticancer effects. Optimization of CBDA decarboxylation in hemp oil was performed, and CBD and CBDA contents and purities were determined by “flash chromatography”, 1H- and 13C-NMR. The antioxidant properties of CBD-enriched oil were investigated by Fe2+ chelating activity, Fe3+ reducing antioxidant power assay, O2− scavenging activity, HO− scavenging ability and lipid peroxidation inhibitory assay and its cytotoxicity, apoptosis- and oxidative stress-inducing effects on NHDF, MeWo, HeLa, HepG2 and HOS cells were determined. The CBD concentration in hemp oil was increased by CBDA soft decarboxylation optimized at 90°C, for 1 h and resulted oil was capable of reducing iron, scavenging free radicals, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in cell-free oxidative conditions. CBD-enriched oil promoted NHDF proliferation at up to 15 µg CBD/mL, while inducing apoptosis and ROS production and modulating antioxidant enzymes’ gene expression in cancer cells, being selective for osteosarcoma cells and induced apoptosis by p53- and ROS-independent mechanisms. CBD-enriched hemp oil demonstrated antioxidant properties in oxidative conditions and promoted normal fibroblasts’ proliferation, while inducing apoptosis and ROS production in cancer cells.

Mining-induced water contamination remains a significant concern in many regions of the world due to the high concentrations of toxic ions often associated with it. In this study, cellulose-supported ferrihydrite composites (CNF-Fe) were prepared by seeding of ferrihydrite nanoparticles on cellulose nanofibres (CNFs) and employed for the removal of As(III), As(V) and Cr(VI) from contaminated water. The adsorbent was characterized by electron microscopy, gas adsorption, point of zero charge (pH_PZC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), as well as infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Compared to parent CNFs, CNF-Fe adsorbents had lower crystallinity and a higher surface area: 218.76 m² g^-1. Further, with a pH_PZC of 6.3, CNF-Fe was positively charged at low pH and suitable for adsorption of anions at acidic conditions characteristic of acid mine drainage. In single-ions solutions, the removal efficiency of CNF-Fe was in the order Cr(VI)>As(V)>As(III) (i.e. 0.15, 0.12 and 0.11 mg g^-1 respectively). Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo second-order model and isotherms were best fitted by the Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin models. However, when CNF-Fe was applied to AMD-contaminated water (pH 2.7), Cr(VI) uptake decreased to ~39% which was likely due to competition from sulphate and selenium ions. Nevertheless, the adsorbent displayed regeneration capabilities with ~98% As and ~45% Cr desorbed after 24 hours of treatment. Together, these results suggest that cellulose supported ferrihydrite composites can be applied in treatment of mine drainage-contaminated water in conjunction with pre-treatments that limit SO₄^2- and selenium concentrations.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an attractive candidate for sustainable pest management due to its abundance of bioactive compounds with potential pesticidal properties. Solvent choice has a significant impact on the extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds. Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) are gaining popularity in extraction because they are safe and environmentally friendly, making them viable alternatives to organic solvents (OSs). This research first compared the extraction efficiency of OSs on the extraction of phytochemicals from the infloresences of two hemp varieties, Citrus and Cherry Dwarf. Inflorescences were extracted using three OSs, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane. The highest level of cannabidiol (CBD; 0.69%) was extracted from Cherry Dwarf using ethanol while the level of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol THC (0.19%) was essentially the same in both. Therefore, Cherry Dwarf was selected to compare the extraction efficiency of DESs to the OSs. The DESs were choline chloride/ethylene glycol, citric acid/ethylene glycol, menthol/lauric acid, choline chloride/urea and choline chloride/glycerol. In the targeted analysis, choline chloride/ethylene glycol extracted the highest amount of CBD (0.87%) followed by choline chloride/urea (0.78%). As some DESs outperformed ethanol, the popular solvent for extracting cannabinoids, DESs are viable candidates to replace organic solvents.

Plant-based proteins, like those derived from hemp and rapeseed can significantly contribute to a balanced diet and human daily nutritional requirements by providing essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. According to numerous recent research papers the consumption of plant-based proteins has been associated with numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Plant-based diets are often lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and higher in fiber and phytonutrients, which can support overall health and well-being. Present research investigates the nutritional attributes, functional properties, and potential food applications of hemp and rapeseed protein for a potential use in new food product development, with a certain focus on identifying anti-nutritional factors and bioactive compounds. Through comprehensive analysis, anti-nutritional factors and bioactive compounds were elucidated, shedding light on their impact on protein quality and digestibility. The study also delves into the functional properties of hemp and rapeseed protein, unveiling their versatility in various food applications. Insights from this research contribute to a deeper understanding of the nutritional value and functional potential of hemp and rapeseed protein, paving the way for their further utilization in innovative food products with enhanced nutritional value and notable health benefits.

Natural fibers have attracted increasing interest as an alternative to produce environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. Particularly, hemp fibers have revealed to be widely used in various industrial applications due to their extremely unique properties. However, hemp can generate a large amount of agro-waste, and results in an attractive source of biopolymers for the development of low-cost materials in alternative to the raw materials and conventional petroleum-based plastics. In addition, deep eutectic solvents (DESs), a new type of truly green solvents, have been tested to remove gums, lignin, and other non-cellulosic components from hemp fibers. Reusing these components dissolved into the DESs to fabricate new materials directly by electrospinning is a very attractive but still unexplored endeavor. Thus, this innovative research to venture new upcycling pathways is focused on the fabrication of composite nanofibers by electrospinning of a gel-based blend of Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hemp agro-waste (HW) dissolved into choline chloride (ChCl) : Glycerol (1:2) and ChCl : Urea (1:2) DES mixtures. The results obtained revealed that the produced nanofibers displayed uniform appearance with diameters ranging from 257.72 ± 65.63 nm to 380.78 ± 133.98 nm. In addition, the mechanical properties of the electro-spun composite nanofibers produced from the gel-based blends of HW dissolved in DESs and PVA (HW-DESs_PVA) were found to be superior, resulting in an enhanced tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Furthermore, the incorporation of HW into the nanofibers was able to provide bioactive antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Overall, this study demonstrated a promising, more sustainable, and eco-friendly way to produce electrospun composite nanofibers using HW in a circular economy perspective.

The issue of suitability of industrial hemp (IH) for large-scale European pulp mills, referred to in this study as EKPM mills, was discussed, taking into account the causal, cultivation, technological, and application aspects of this issue. The work showed that there are premises for the use of non-wood fibrous raw materials (NFRM) in these mills. As for the IH, it was found that IH stalks are the best IH FRM for EKMP. There are few cultivation factors (CF) favouring the use of IH stalks in them and few, though important (e.g., small cultivation areas), factors not conducive to this use. Most of the technological factors (TF) favour the use of IH in EKPM, apart from the large differences in the length of the IH bast and woody-core fibres. The analysis of application factors (AF) indicates lower usefulness of IH than wheat/rye/triticale straws, Miscanthus giganteus, Virginia mallow, and kenaf due to the much greater availability of these cereal straws than IH and less variation in fibre length of cereal straw, Miscanthus giganteus, Virginia mallow, and kenaf than in IH stalks. The presence of IH variety/ies with fibre lengths more similar to wood would reduce the number of TF and AF factors unfavourable to their use in EKPM.

One of the most widely available and extensively produced varieties of industrial hemp, which generates a substantial amount of consumer-increasing waste in the form of hemp cellulose. In this study, recycling with a compressed and high-speed method that combines crushing and alkali treatment effectively converts leftover hemp fiber into ultrafine powder. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), AFM (Atomic Force Microscope), FTIR (Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy), and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) examined the original morphology of hemp fiber treated with alkali, fiber heated to 200 ℃, and crushed powder. Particle size, crystallinity, fiber surface, and strength increased and decreased. It became apparent that fiber strength decreased and fiber roughness significantly increased after alkali treatment. Fiber increased significantly, and crystallinity decreased after crushing. It was simple and effective for converting the leftover hemp fiber into micron-sized powder. In about 3 to 5 minutes, approximately 1 kg of dry ultrafine powder with a particle size of 10.44 μm was produced. This production method will significantly enhance future industrial applications of waste hemp fiber.

Cationised hemp cellulose was prepared by etherification with two quaternary ammonium salts: 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) and glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTMAC) and examined for (i) the efficiency of Cr(VI) removal under acid mine-drainage (AMD) conditions, and (ii) antibacterial activity. Adsorbents were characterised by electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), CP-MAS ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, elemental composition and surface charge. FTIR and solid state ¹³C NMR confirmed the introduction of quaternary ammonium moieties on cellulose. ¹³C NMR also showed that cationisation decreased the degree of crystallisation and lateral dimensions of cellulose fibrils. Nevertheless, 47 % - 72% of Cr(VI) ions were removed from solutions at pH 4, by 0.1 g of CHPTAC and GTMAC-cationised cellulose, respectively. Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order model and isotherms were best described by the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. When GTMAC-modified cellulose was applied to AMD contaminated water (pH 2.7), however, Cr(VI) uptake removal decreased to 22% likely due to competition from Al and Fe ions. Nevertheless, cationised materials displayed considerable antibacterial effects, reducing the viability of Escherichia coli by up to 45 % after just 3 hours of exposure. Together, these results suggest that cationised cellulose can be applied in the treatment of Cr(VI)-contaminated mine water particularly if pre-treatments to reduce Fe and Al concentrations are applied.