The chemical composition, nutritional value, and possibility of use Cannabis sativa L. seeds in animal nutrition

Hemp has great potential as a useful plant. The seeds are a rich source of protein, fat, fiber, and biologically active substances that are of great health-promoting importance. In the study, three types of hemp seeds were compared. It has been shown that hemp seeds available on the market differ significantly in their chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and the content of active substances. The hemp seeds tested contained an average of 25% crude fiber, 24% crude protein, and approx. 30% of crude fat. Hemp protein is rich in arginine but poor in sulfur amino acids. Fat is characterized by a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (almost 80%), with about 60% linoleic acid, and the n-6 / n-3 ratio is 3.3: 1, which positively affects health. Significant differences were found in the content of active substances in the analyzed seeds. The content of phenolic acids was on average 623 mg /100g, while the range of flavonoids was approx. 600 mg/100g. Catechins, which are substances with strong antioxidant and pharmacological properties, had the largest share. Significant discrepancies were also found between the declared and actual protein and fat content from 5 to 15% units. This indicates the need to test the raw material for its intended use. Compared to other popular oil seeds, hemp seeds have a higher protein content than rape seeds and a higher fat content than soybeans seeds but contain more fiber, arginine, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Due to many advantages, hemp seeds can be effectively used in animal nutrition, as an alternative to soybean or rapeseed, with an appropriate level of them in the diet and supplementing the feed with some additives.