INVESTIGATION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN HEMP

Among hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) secondary metabolites, cannabinoids are certainly the most distinctive, and furthermore, hemp is well known for its terpene content. On the other hand, the content of phenolic compounds in hemp (e.g. flavonoids and phenolic acids) is a lso not negligible. These compounds are interest ng from their biological activity point of view, for example they often possess antioxidant properties. In our research, extraction procedure for phenolic compounds from hemp plant material was optimised, 50% EtOH(aq) was selected as the best extraction solvent. By use of the optimised extraction procedure, extracts from different types of hemp grown in the Marche region (central ltaly) we re obtained and then used for study of the phenolic compounds. In addition, alternat ive potential approach for extraction of phenolic compounds from hemp was tested - the aqueous solution that remains after steam distillation of plant material (the part that is not distilled) was lyophilized and the phenolic compounds in the solid residues were determined. Spectrophotometric determination of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and DPPH antioxidant test we re performed for both types of ext racts. Further on, an HPLC method for determination of phenolic compounds in hemp was developed, followed by mass-spectrometric identification of individual main flavonoids in the extracts. The content of representative phenolic compounds in hemp was also quantitat ively assessed.