Chemical Characterization of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)-Derived Products and Potential for Animal Feed

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)-derived products are not approved as feed ingredients in Canada. This study aims to provide detailed chemical characterization of hemp seed (HS)-processing products to support regulatory approval of their potential use as animal feed. Eight cold-pressed derivatives of HS including HS hulls (HH), dehulled HS, HS oil (HO), and HS cake/meal (HC/HM) were analyzed for nutritional, antinutritional, and cannabinoid contents. Although crude protein (CP) was lower (P < 0.0001) in HH (15.7 +/- 2.96%) compared to other proteinous derivatives (>20%), all fractions were rich in amino acids. Neutral detergent fiber was highest (P < 0.0001) in HH (58.8 +/- 4.77%) and lowest in dehulled HS (2.99 +/- 4.77%). However, their energy values in poultry and swine were comparable to HC/HM and coarse HS protein. All fractions, except HO, are rich in macro- and microminerals. Antinutritional factors including heavy metals, nitrate, and Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol were below the maximum allowable residual levels in food/feed [CFIA Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Rg-8 Regulatory Guidance: Contaminants in Feed (Formerly Rg-1, Chapter 7), 2017. https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/livestock-feeds/regulatory-guidance/rg-8/eng/1347383943203/1347384015909?chap=0 (Accessed October 20, 2023), Commission Regulation EC Setting Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in Foodstuffs, 2006, https://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/eur68134.pdf (Accessed October 11, 2020), and EFSA EFSA J. 2015, 13(6), 4141]. In summary, all HS-derived fractions are nutritionally favorable to serve as potential animal feed ingredients.