An overview of physicochemical, nutritional and elemental attributes of Cannabis (Cannabaceae)

Cannabis is a very novel plant genus which is important for both animals and human nutrition. This study reviewed the reported data on the physicochemical, nutritional and elemental/metal profiles of Cannabis species. On the basis of collected data here, the minimum range of moisture content reported was 1.1% in seeds and maximum 11.90% in C. indica. Maximum oil content of 51.06% in seeds with minimum 3.7% and maximum 25.7% ash content in the seeds and extracted flower of C. sativa (hemp) were reported. Varied nutrients with varying levels in Cannabis were documented such as proteins (minimum 4.21% in stem of C. indica and maximum 43.04% in seeds of C. sativa-hemp), carbohydrates (minimum 4% and maximum 43% in seeds of C. sativa-hemp), fiber (minimum 2.9% and maximum 40.4% in seeds of C. sativa-hemp) and fat (minimum 2.67% in stem of C. indica and maximum 55% in seeds of C. sativa-hemp). More than 30 fatty acids were reported in the seeds with maximum content of linoleic acid (62.89%), a-linolenic acid (23.43%) and oleic acid (18.8%). The maximum SFAs, UFAs, PUFAs, MUFAs, ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids with 18 amino acids in Cannabis seeds were reported. Around 36 macro and micro elements with heavy metals like Hg, Pb, Cd and As with varied concentrations were reported in Cannabis. Cannabis is therefore one of the potential nutrient sources and its seeds specifically are important for product development and drug formulations.