Nutritional composition and cannabinoid concentrations of hemp leaf hay during 5 mth of storage

Naroon  Waramit; Jiraporn  Chaugool; Nongluk  Teinseree; Phoompong  Boonsaen; Anuruck  Arunyanark

Authors

Naroon Waramit Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
Jiraporn Chaugool Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
Nongluk Teinseree Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
Phoompong Boonsaen Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
Anuruck Arunyanark Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand

Keywords:

Cannabinoid stability, Hemp leaf hay, Nutritional composition, Ruminant feed, Storage duration

Abstract

Importance of the work: The leaves of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) obtained as a by-product after
fiber harvest represent a potential conserved-feed ingredient for ruminants; however, information
remains limited on the changes in nutritive value and cannabinoid profiles during hay storage.
Objectives: To assess the nutritional value and cannabinoid content of hemp leaf hay during
different storage durations compared to leucaena.
Materials and Methods: Hemp leaves and leucaena leaves were harvested, sun-dried and stored
for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mth. Proximate composition and fiber fractions were analyzed using standard
methods, while cannabinoids were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with
ultraviolet detection.
Results: Initially, the hemp leaf hay contained 23.89% crude protein (CP), which declined
significantly to 10.06% after 5 mth of storage. In contrast, the detergent fiber fractions and ash
content remained statistically unchanged over storage (neutral detergent fiber, 42.97%; ash,
12.46%). Total cannabidiol (CBD) and total Δ9
-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9
-THC) did not change
significantly across storage durations, although slight numerical increases were observed, whereas
cannabinol (CBN) increased significantly (2.05–2.20 mg/g at month 3), consistent with oxidative
conversion of THC to CBN under ambient storage. Compared with leucaena, the hemp leaves had
lower CP and total fiber contents but higher levels of hemicellulose and ash. Correlation analysis
showed that CBD was strongly correlated with CBN, while Δ9
-THC was significantly correlated
with CBN, suggesting possible co-variation among major cannabinoids during storage.
Main finding: The hemp leaf hay maintained statistically unchanged total CBD and total THC
contents during 1–5 mth of storage, despite slight numerical increases, whereas CBN increased
and CP declined markedly. Therefore, early utilization of the hay is recommended to preserve
protein value. Hemp leaf hay may be used as a complementary feed ingredient for ruminants under
farm-like storage conditions.