Characterizing the non-starch polysaccharides of hempseed cell walls

Authors: AGBANA, MIRANDA - University Of Kentucky; ANGELETTI, BRYNN - University Of Kentucky; BUECKER, HANNA - University Of Kentucky; TSENG, YEN-CHANG - University Of Kentucky; Davis, Brittany; SCHENDEL, RACHEL - University Of Kentucky

Submitted to: Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2024
Publication Date: 4/15/2024
Citation: Agbana, M.R., Angeletti, B.S., Buecker, H.C., Tseng, Y., Davis, B.E., Schendel, R.R. 2024. Characterizing the non-starch polysaccharides of hempseed cell walls. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 250:2405–2419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-024-04548-2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-024-04548-2

Interpretive Summary: Growing interest in producing hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in North America has been accompanied by increased interest in using its seeds as food for humans and animals. Typically, hemp is grown for the production of oil (cannabidiol), fiber, or grain; some dual-purpose varieties are grown for both fiber and grain. Hemp “grain” refers to the seeds which can be eaten whole or used for oil extraction. In addition to having a favorable oil content, hempseeds are also high in protein and non-starch polysaccharides and for this reason could provide a good source of both fiber and protein for incorporation in human foods and animal feeds. However, little is known about the composition of hempseed fiber, which could impact microbial degradation in the gut and overall nutritional value. This study is the first to provide an in-depth characterization of hempseed non-starch polysaccharides, fiber, and lignin. In result, hempseed was found to be a rich and complex source of fiber that is particularly abundant in linear xylans and lightly-substituted xyloglucans. Based on these data, hempseed could be a good source of complex dietary fiber for human diets and a potential fiber additive for herbivorous livestock diets.

Technical Abstract: Hempseeds (Cannabis sativa L.) have been shown to be a valuable source of oil and a quality vegetable protein source, but little is known about its fiber composition. This study provides the most extensive characterization of hempseed cell wall polysaccharides to date. Quantification of total dietary fiber (TDF) and acetyl bromide soluble lignin (ABSL), monosaccharide composition through two, complimentary hydrolysis methods (Saeman hydrolysis and methanolysis), and linkage analysis via derivatization of monosaccharides to partially methylated alditol acetates (PMAAs) were done. More detailed profiling of hempseed xyloglucans and pectic arabinans and galactans was performed via targeted enzymatic generation and quantification of characteristic oligosaccharides. Defatted hempseed contained 37.2 g TDF /100 g, and water-insoluble cell wall material from hempseed contained 17.0 ± 1.0% ABSL. The hempseed water-insoluble cell wall material was mostly composed of cellulose and xylans, but pectins (including both branched and linear arabinans) and xyloglucans with both L- and F-motifs were also present. These data show that hempseed is a good source of complex dietary fiber for human diets and a potential fiber additive for herbivorous livestock diets.