Hemp protein

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Dehulled hemp seeds (food) containing about 10g of hemp protein per 30g serving Hemp Seeds protein1.jpg
Dehulled hemp seeds (food) containing about 10g of hemp protein per 30g serving

Hemp protein is a plant-derived protein from the cannabis plant and is isolated from hemp seeds (a type of nut). [1] [2]

Contents

Protein content

The protein content of whole hemp seeds can vary between 20 and 25% depending on variety and environmental factors. [3] [2] Processing methods such as dehulling or oil fraction removal can increase the protein concentration in products like dehulled seed or hemp seed meal to over 50%. [3] [4]

Hemp seeds are comparable with soybeans in terms of nutrition. [4] They are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and rich in dietary fiber and unsaturated fatty acids. After the oil is extracted from the hemp seeds, the residual mass is a protein-rich material useful for food processing. [3] [4]

The protein in hemp seeds is made up of the two highly digestible globular types of proteins, edestin (60–80%) and 2S albumin, [5] with edestin also being rich in the essential amino acids. [2] [6] [7] [8]

Amino acid profile

Hemp protein is rich in essential amino acids, containing, in sufficient quantities, all essential amino acids required by humans except lysine, which appears at lower than recommended levels for infants aged up to five years old according to Food and agricultural organization (FOA) standards; still, the overall nutritive value of hemp protein remains relatively good, as sulfur-containing amino acids are higher than in casein or soy, while other non-essential amino acids present in hemp protein, such as arginine, provide additional health benefits including cardiovascular support, immune function optimization, and muscle repair. [3]

Hemp protein has unique properties that are useful in food processing. Its cysteine-rich amino acid composition and high sulfhydryl (-SH)/disulfide (S-S) ratio offer a glimpse of its distinctive features. [9] [4] These features can facilitate the development of new food materials. [4]

Digestibility

A package of unflavored hemp protein Hemp protein unflavoured package.jpg
A package of unflavored hemp protein

Hemp protein, when untreated, is more digestible compared to soy protein. Heat pre-treatment at temperatures above 80 °C may improve the digestibility of both hemp and soy protein, but in untreated (unheated) form hemp protein is more readily digested than the soy one. [3]

Dehulled hemp seeds (also known as hemp nuts, hemp kernels or hemp hearts) have a protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) of 0.66, with lysine being the limiting amino acid (digestibility of 92.1%). [3] [10]

With its gluten content as low as 4.78 ppm, hemp is attracting attention as a gluten-free (<20 ppm) food material. [4] [9]

Hemp protein is sold in bulk as a powder, in various forms, such as hempseed meal, hemp protein concentrates, and hemp protein isolates. It generally has greenish hue due to the natural pigments in the hemp plant, but the color can vary depending on the specific processing methods used. Unflavored hemp protein powder is commonly available, that is, no additional flavoring is added to the hemp protein, which is usually described as earthy or nutty. [11] [12] [9] [13] [14]

Functional features

Observations of limiting enzymatic hydrolysis elicited by trypsin in a controlled environment have shown an increase in hemp protein isolate (HSI) solubility at various pH and a notable decrease in the recorded emulsifying activity index. [3] [15]

Environment benefit

Hemp protein is gaining attention in the context of its environment benefit. Hemp is reevaluated as a promising crop in the era of sustainable development goals (SDG) due to its sustainable growth characteristics and versatile industrial usability. [4] [9]

The entire hemp plant—its leaves, stalks, roots, and seeds—can be used, reducing waste. The stalk is used for fiber production, the leaves/roots for medicine, and seeds for oil and protein. [9] [4] Hemp has a short cropping period and requires less pesticide or water compared to cotton, a representative fiber material and food plant, that makes hemp a sustainable choice for cultivation. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soybean</span> Legume grown for its edible bean

The soybean, soy bean, or soya bean is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean, which has numerous uses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemp oil</span> Oil from hemp seeds

Hemp oil is oil obtained by pressing hemp seeds. Cold pressed, unrefined hemp oil is dark to clear light green in color, with a nutty flavor. The darker the color, the grassier the flavour. It should not be confused with hash oil, a tetrahydrocannabinol-containing oil made from the Cannabis flower.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemp</span> Low-THC cannabis plant

Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a plant in the botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest growing plants on Earth. It was also one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 50,000 years ago. It can be refined into a variety of commercial items, including paper, rope, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed.

<i>Cannabis sativa</i> Plant species

Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous flowering plant. The species was first classified by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The specific epithet sativa means 'cultivated'. Indigenous to Eastern Asia, the plant is now of cosmopolitan distribution due to widespread cultivation. It has been cultivated throughout recorded history and used as a source of industrial fiber, seed oil, food, and medicine. It is also used as a recreational drug and for religious and spiritual purposes.

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Vegetarian nutrition is the set of health-related challenges and advantages of vegetarian diets.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protein (nutrient)</span> Nutrient for the human body

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soy protein</span> A protein that is isolated from soybean

Soy protein is a protein that is isolated from soybean. It is made from soybean meal that has been dehulled and defatted. Dehulled and defatted soybeans are processed into three kinds of high protein commercial products: soy flour, concentrates, and isolates. Soy protein isolate has been used since 1959 in foods for its functional properties.

Edestin, is a highly-digestible, hexameric legumin protein with six subunits, and a seed storage protein, with a molecular weight of 310 kDa. This protein is primarily found in hemp seeds. Edestin is a globular protein as opposed to fibrous protein (structural).

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'FINOLA' is a low THC hemp variety from Finland that is primarily used to produce hempseed.

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Chemical defenses in <i>Cannabis</i> Defense of Cannabis plant from pathogens

Cannabis (/ˈkænəbɪs/) is commonly known as marijuana or hemp and has two known strains: Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, both of which produce chemicals to deter herbivory. The chemical composition includes specialized terpenes and cannabinoids, mainly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD). These substances play a role in defending the plant from pathogens including insects, fungi, viruses and bacteria. THC and CBD are stored mostly in the trichomes of the plant, and can cause psychological and physical impairment in the user, via the endocannabinoid system and unique receptors. THC increases dopamine levels in the brain, which attributes to the euphoric and relaxed feelings cannabis provides. As THC is a secondary metabolite, it poses no known effects towards plant development, growth, and reproduction. However, some studies show secondary metabolites such as cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes are used as defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic environmental stressors.

References

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