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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Functional Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418434
Research Project: Development of Enhanced Bio-Based Products from Low Value Agricultural Co-Products and Wastes

Location: Functional Foods Research

Title: Nutritive value and cannabinoid potency of diverse hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) varieties grown under different light conditions and harvested across multiple time points as a possible feed source for livestock

Author
item DURINGER, JENNIFER - Oregon State University
item SAINDON, ASHLEY - Oregon State University
item IRAWAN, AGUNG - Oregon State University
item ATES, SERKAN - Oregon State University
item Brownstein, Korey
item GUDE, KELLY - Orise Fellow
item RINGO, CHRIS - Oregon State University
item KINNEY, CHAD - Colorado State University
item BERHOW, MARK - Retired ARS Employee
item STEINER, JEFFREY - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2026
Publication Date: 4/30/2026
Citation: Duringer, J.M., Saindon, A., Irawan, A., Ates, S., Brownstein, K.J., Gude, K.M., Ringo, C., Kinney, C.A., Berhow, M., Steiner, J. 2026. Nutritive value and cannabinoid potency of diverse hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) varieties grown under different light conditions and harvested across multiple time points as a possible feed source for livestock. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c16989.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c16989

Interpretive Summary: This research found that growing conditions like light and harvest time affect the quality and chemical makeup of industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is a plant that can be used for many things, like animal feed, but it must have less than 0.30% total THC. ARS researchers in Peoria developed a fast and reliable 10-minute test for measuring 20 different cannabinoids, including total THC. ARS researchers and other scientists also found that the amount of light and harvest time changed the chemicals in hemp. Flowers and leaves of all hemp types were of high-feed quality, while the stems had less nutrients in them. By choosing the right growing conditions and plant types, farmers can control THC levels and improve the quality of hemp for animal feed and other products. This could open new uses for industrial hemp in the U.S.

Technical Abstract: Effects of two nighttime light interruption conditions and three inflorescence harvest times were studied on two photoperiod insensitive and three photoperiod sensitive varieties of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) grown in California, USA, to determine how these affected agronomic and nutritive values relevant to animal feed metrics, as well as the expression of cannabinoids. Cannabinoid potency was quantified using a newly developed UPLC-DAD method. Light sensitivity, light intensity, and harvest time significantly influenced agronomic and nutritional characteristics, in addition to the plant's cannabinoid profile. High light intensity increased agronomic and nutritional variables, but the response varied by genotype. Cannabinoids increased in photosensitive varieties grown under high light intensity, while the latter harvests demonstrated the highest values in all varieties. This indicates that specific plant genotypes and their response to light availability may be a means to optimize hemp's nutritional profile and address safety concerns surrounding cannabinoid expression for use as a livestock feed source.