"Hemp germplasm and breeding sticks in aspects of fatty acid profile and tocopherols. Possible usage in medecine as antioxidants" (Dr. Sergej Grigoryev, N. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry, St. Petersburg, Russland)
THE POTENTIAL IS STILL ALIVE
For Russia, hemp was a traditional and important industrial crop. Hemp has been cultivated for a very long times over the territory of Russia since IX-th century and was used for fiber (cloth and ropes), oil and as a food. In the Oryol Province, for instance, by 1900 agriculture has been oriented towards hemp cultivation instead of commercial cereals production. At that time, hemp oil absolutely replaced animal fats in this province and peasants were consuming vegetable oil almost exceptionally.
The main cultivation areas were in Central Russia. The largest area of cultivation - 920 000 hectares was achieved in 1931. In the North of the country hemp has been cultivated near the Northern Border of Agriculture, in the Urals, Western and Eastern Siberia. Regretfully enough, this area is lost now.
Southern industrial hemp has been cultivated in the south of country. in Krasnodar region, former Soviet Caucasus, in former Soviet Middle Asia.
Thus, hemp was cheap, acceptable to people at all levels of the russian society, and widely used for various purposes.
By 1983, industrial plantations of hemp occupied 131,000 ha. The declining of cultivation of hemp was conditioned by various factors. Hemp farming is very labor intensive and may occupied the farmer’s time the whole year round from sowing to harvesting, followed by its retting and drying, and finally the required breaking, scutching, combing, weaving and spinning. The cultivation has been limited because of high level of labor expenditure in hemp industry and expanding cheap cotton from former Soviet Central Asia.
The image of hemp which was being associated with drug in public opinion since early 1970’s, caused the limitation and almost prohibition of cultivation. Thus, breeders had to create drug-free varieties of industrial hemp, which widely cultivate in present.
Now, the area of cultivation is about 18 000 hectares in Russia (table 1). Main hemp products are: ropes, steel ropes, tow for isolation. Hemp processing factories are mainly located in Orel, Kursk, Penza Provinces and Mordovia. The cultivation and processing of hemp in to ropes is supported by various industries in Russia. They are: steel and iron foundry, oil and natural gas drilling, coal mining. Hemp ropes are widely used in lifts and various elevators (Grigoriev,2000).
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Table 1
HEMP GROWING PROVINCES IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION, 2001 |
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Provinces and Autonomus Republics in RF
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Industrial hemp sown areas, hectares
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Nizshny Novgorod
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150
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Chuvashia
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400
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Briansk
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610
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Bashkiria
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630
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Kursk
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1640
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Krasnodar
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2200
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Penza
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2820
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Mordovia
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3200
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Orel
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4300
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TOTAL:
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18 000 approx.
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There is the tendency in breeding of hemp to create cultivars for various utilization.
1. Fiber cultivars. They are monoecious and dioecious. The harvest of straw 18.0 tones/ hectare was achieved in Krasnodar region (southern Russia, dioecious cultivar).
2. Dual-use cultivars. Cultivar YUSO-14 produced the harvest of straw - 9.7
3. III. tones / ha, fiber - 2.9 tones/ ha (long fiber - 2.2 t/ha), seeds - 1.1 tone/ha in middle part of Russia.
4. Grain cultivars. Seeds of these cultivars contain high percent of good eatable oil balanced in EF acids profile. The grain yield of FIN-314 variety in Canada was achieved in 1.8 tones / hectare.
Introduction. Rationale.
The present-day development of pharmaceutical industry and the continuing introduction into treatment practice of new chemical preparations add vitality to such issues as complications in the course of antibiotic treatment, development of resistance to medicinal preparations by the pathogenic microflora, additional allergic load on the organism, drug disease and many other complications. All this served as an impetus to start a search for new safe, highly effective and, at the same time, ecologically pure and relatively cheap medicinal preparations. We paid attention to a means which once has been widely used in folk medicine, that is hemp oil (Cannabis sativa L.).
We want to underline, that hemp seed and oil are significant differ in chemical compounds (vitamin and antioxidant activities) from widely used oils as follows: flax, olive, sunflower, soy-bean and cotton.
During several centuries hemp oil has been associated with top-grade food oils in Russia. The freshly pressed oil has a slightly greenish tint due to the presence of chlorophyll in it. Hemp seeds contain 30 to 35% of oil which includes 4 to 10% of saturated fatty acids and 70 to 85% of polyunsaturated ones.
The polyunsatured fatty acids include "omega 6" ("w 6"), such as linoleic acid (abbreviated as LA 18:2 w 6), g-linolenic acid (GLA 18:3 w 6), as well as "omega 3" ("w 3"), such a-linolenic acid (LNA 18:3 w3) and stearidonic acid (SDA 18:3 w 3). The latter plays a special role in human metabolism in the amount of even 1% (Callaway et al 1996). The daily dietary requirement of the human organism in these acids is approximately 1g.
Hemp seeds contain from 1.39 to 2.6% of phosphorus. Over 80% of the total phosphorus falls on phytinum (organic phosphorus). Also, E and K vitamins, sterols and carotenes have been found in seeds.
Hemp seeds contain 20-25% of protein which was found to include all essential amino acids (Gorbacheva, 1980).
Unsaturated fatty acids are among the essential factors of human nutrition: they are necessary for cell membranes buildup, prostaglandins (local hormones) production, nervous tissue structure formation, and energy generation.
Catabolism (disassimilation) of fatty acids follows the b-oxidation type (Krebs cycle) and is of special value for energy production: formation of ATP molecules occurs in quantities several times exceeding those from glucose oxidation.
In the case of atherosclerosis, beneficial effect of unsaturated fatty acids is based on their influence on the proteins and lipids metabolism, especially in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The lipids free radicals oxidation is directly linked with both normal vital activity of cells and appearance, development and termination of many pathologic conditions (Pluzhnikov et al., 1991).
We believe, special attention should be paid to hemp oil unsaturated fatty acids as antioxidants applied in treatment of different traumatic cases. Biochemical and morphological investigations (Bezshapochny et al , 1991) have shown an intensification of lipids peroxidate (LP) in the case of traumatic lesions, it being caused by a series of factors like psychogenic pain shock, loss of blood, hypoxia, inflammatory response in the traumatized zone. Intermediate and end products of LP, that is aggressive agents like aldehydes, hydroperoxides, epoxides cause inactivation and transformation of enzymes, and accumulation of inert biopolymers thus disturbing the process of tissue cells restoration in the lesion zone. In such a case, the necessity in antioxidants (AO) capable of inhibiting LP is increasing, and the lack of their additional supply to the organism leads to the LP growth. Iintensification of LP processes leads to the vascular tension disturbance and capillary trombosis development which aggravate microcirculation disorder.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids accelerate oxidation of saturated fatty acids in the organism. In the case of unsaturated fatty acids insufficiency, xerodermia, appearance of eczema, hair shedding and nails scaling are observed.Unsaturated acids have been shown to prevent the beginning of atherosclerosis as they facilitate cholesterol removal.
Unsaturated fatty acids are biogenic predecessors of prostaglandins. It is possible that the introduction of unsaturated fatty acids into the organism may stimulate biosynthesis of prostaglandin and increase their influence on the major human physiological processes, as prostaglandins participate in the lipid metabolism, in regulation of arterial pressure, renal blood flow, etc.
Treatment of patients with acetylsalicylic acid, indometacin, butadione, etc. slows down biosynthesis and functioning of prostaglandins, and this can be countered by applying unsaturated fatty acids.
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Table 2 |
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Compound
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Concentration (%) in hemp oil, from seed grown:
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North
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South
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Fatty acids:
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Palmic acid (16:0)
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6.5
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7.6
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Stearic acid ( 18:0)
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2.5
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2.5
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Oleic acid ( 18:1,c9)
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12.0
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10.4
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Linoleic acid (18:2,c9,12)
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52.9
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55.9
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alpha-Linolenic acid (18:3, c9,12,15)
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24.1
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17.45
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gamma-Linolenic acid (13:3,c5,9,12)
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6.8
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2.7
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Arachidic acid(20:0)
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0.5
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1.7
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Stearidonic acid (octadecatetraenoic) 18:4,c6,9,12,15
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2.3
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0.5
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Eicosenic acid (20:1,c11)
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0.2
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1.2
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Tocopherols:
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alpha-
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42.8
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64.8
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delta-
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25.0
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10.0
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S of tocopherols, mg/100 g (means)
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59,5
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53,00
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Table 3
POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS CONTENT OF HEMP OIL IN ACCESSIONS OF PHENETIC COLLECTION St.PETERSBURG PROVINCE, 1997-99 |
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Origins.Countries and Russian Provinces
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Fatty acids, % in total amount
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S of
polyunsaturated |
Linoleic
18:2,c9,12 |
a-Linolenic
18:3,c9,12,15 |
g-Linolenic
18:3,c6,9,12 |
Octadecatetraenoic
18:4,c6,9,12,15 |
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1
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Saratov
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80,4
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52,0
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24,1
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1,8
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2,5
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2
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Altai
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81,4
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55,0
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21,6
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3,0
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1,6
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3
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Altai
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80,6
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53,0
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20,1
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4,7
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2,8
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4
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Altai
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77,7
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55,0
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18,4
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2,4
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1,9
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5
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Krasnoyarsk
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80,9
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50,7
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24,1
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3,0
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3,0
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6
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Ukraine
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81,8
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55,2
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22,0
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2.5
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2,1
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7
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Ukraine
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83,1
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55,5
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22,3
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3,1
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2,2
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8
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Perm
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79.9
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51,9
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22,4
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2,9
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2,7
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9
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Altai
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80,0
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51,2
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22,3
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3,7
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2,9
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10
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Mari-El
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78,8
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52,0
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20,6
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3,5
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2,7
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11
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Belorussia
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80,4
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53,4
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21,0
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3,3
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2,7
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12
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Mari-El
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81,0
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50,7
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20.5
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6,1
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3,7
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13
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Ukraine
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80,7
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51,9
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22,6
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3,6
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2,6
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14
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Irkutsk
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80,8
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51,6
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22,6
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3,8
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2,8
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15
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Tumen
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79,8
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51,9
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22,1
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3,2
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2,6
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16
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Saratov
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79,4
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51,6
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22,4
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3,2
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2,2
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17
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Uso-31 Ukraine (standart)
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78,8
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52,5
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21,3
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2,8
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2,2
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Another important component of hemp oil are tocopherols which in the 1920s were discovered to be the substance that protects animals from infertility. Insufficiency of tocopherols in animal rations leads to disturbances in protein and lipid metabolism, and some processes of carbohydrate metabolism. Tocopherols protect from oxidation many important compounds in the organism, prevent capillary fragility and epithelium degeneration in seminiferous tubules. Tocopherols blockade of lipids peroxidation in cells membranes by means of formation the complex selenium- polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Vegetable oils contain E vitamin (tocopherols) in seven components as follows: alpha(a)-, beta(b)-, gamma(g)-, delta(d)-, epsilon(e)-, zeta(z)- and eta (h)- tocopheros. alpha - tocopherol is the best in vitamin activity. As vitamin tocopherols promote the accumulation of A-, D- vitamins and carotenes in animal and plant tissues. In other side, delta - tocopherol is best as antioxidant (see table 1).
There are four tocopherols in hemp oil: alpha, beta, gamma, delta. The content of tocopherols varies significantly depending on the hemp cultivar ecotype, location of the cultivation area and degree of seed ripeness (see table 2). The total tocopherols per 100 g of hemp-seeds vary from 46.6 to 75.7 mg.
65% of total tocopherols is alpha-tocopherol in hemp oil grown in Southern areas. This oil pronounced in vitamin activity.The hemp oil, grown in Northern regions has high concentration of delta-tocoferol (up to 25%). We suppose high antioxidation activity of this oil.
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Table 4
ANTIOXIDANT AND BIOLOGICAL (VITAMIN) ACTIVITY OF TOCOPHEROLS (COMPARED WITH ACTIVITY OF a-TOCOPHEROL ) |
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Tocopherols
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Antioxidant activity
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E-vitamin activity
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a-
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100 %
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100%
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b-
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130%
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40%
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g-
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180%
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From 4% to 8.3%
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d-
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270%
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1%
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e-
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-
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20%
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z-
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-
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52%
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h-
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-
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3%
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In Russian medicine, tocopherol is used in the form of Tocopheroli acetas (or "Tocofer" in international scale) for treating muscular dystrophy, dermatosis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus and other dermatic diseases, as well as myocardial dystrophy, hepatic diseases, dermatomyositis, dysmenorrhea, threat of miscarriage, and disturbances of male sexual glands functioning. The latter should be specially noted, as in many hemp producing regions of Russia, Ukraine and Byelarus for many centuries it has been widely believed among peasants that consumption of hemp seed increases male potency and female childbearing function (i.e. threat of miscarriage prevention) . We’d like to draw attention of modern medicine to this therapeutic potential of hemp oil.
Hemp seeds and oil are free from cyanogenic glycosides. This compounds may be converted into cyanic acid through hydrolysis.
Cyanogenic glycosides are known to occur in many crop species. They are important natural toxicants in both human and animal nutrition. They are: linamarine, linustatin and neolinustatin. These compounds were observed in details on flaxseed (G. Mazza and B.D. Oomah, 1995). The contents of flaxseed glycosides in cultivars ranged from 365 mg/100g of flaxseed (NorMan cultivar) to 550 mg/100g (Ando cultivar). Published human studies suggest that consumption of traditional flaxseed less 50 g/day, at level that provides a valuable source of alpha-linolenic acid and dietary fiber does not present a significant health risk from cyanognic glycosides. But at higher intakes these compounds present in row flaxseed have potential toxicity.
Hemp seeds have been used for human nutrition for a long times over territories modern Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Armenia. Folk hemp landraces have been bred especially for eating: to produce hemp milk and fried seeds. Hemp seed rich in calcium, as well in phosphorus and iron, compared with other oil crops.
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Table 5
COMPARATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF TOTAL ASH OF SOME OIL CROPS (%) (Adapted from Pleshkov, 1975) |
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Crop
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P2O5
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K2O
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CaO
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MgO
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SO3
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Fe2O3
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Hemp
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36
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22
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15
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8
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2
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1
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Sunflower
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40
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27
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11
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10
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3
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2
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Flax
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30
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24
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5
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10
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2
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0.5
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Cotton
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31
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35
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5
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9
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3
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0.5
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Thus, the feature of hemp oil which makes it attractive for various medical application is the combination of a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, unique g-linoleic, stearidonic fatty acids and various in activity tocopherols. However, it should be stressed that these compounds prevent prolonged storage of hemp oil and it should be used within 3 to 4 weeks after it has been pressed. However, this information also requires thorough medical and biochemical investigations.
Conclusions
Worsening of the ecological situation and the continuing introduction of new synthetic drugs which may have negative side effects stimulate the search for new alternative medicinal preparations which would be effective, accessible, natural, non-toxic and well-balanced. Investigation of medicinal application of hemp oil still continues.
References
Bezshapochny S., Lobunec V., Bilibina I., Pocherniaeva V. 1991. Disorders of lipid peroxidate and microcirculation in nose-eye trauma and methods of correction. Vestnik otorinolaringologii. No.5, p.25.
Callaway J.,Tennila T., Pate D, 1996. Occurrence of "omega-3" stearidonic acid (cis-6,9,12,15-octadecatetraenoic acid) in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed. Journal of the International hemp Ass., Vol.3, No.2, December, p.61.
Fleming, M.P. and R.C. Clarke, 1998. Physical evidence for the antiquity of Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae). Journal of the International Hemp Association 5(2): 80-92
Gorbacheva R., 1980. Oil content, its quality and content other matters in hemp seeds. Ph.D. thesis. Leningrad.
Grigoryev S., 2000. Evaluation of cold-resistance of hemp. Krasnodar.
Nizova G., Grigoriev S. 2001. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in phenetic collection accessions of hemp. St.Petersburg.
Lopatin A., Piskunov G., 1995. Catheterization and forced drainage of accessory nasal sinus.// Russian rhinology, No.1, P. 34-35.
Mashkovsky M., 1984. Drugs. Vol.2, P. 92-93, Medicina, Moscow.
Mishenkin N., Drachuk A., 1992. LF ultrasound therapy and surgery in ENT disorders. Novosibirsk.
Pluzhnikov M., Ivanov B., Zhumankulov M.,1991. Clinical significance of lipid peroxidization. Vestnik otorinolaringologii No.3, p. 88-91.
Shevrygin B., Fiodorova T., Pekli F., 1999. Experience of natural essential oil application in children’ chronic pharyngitis. Vestnik otorinolaringologii No.2, p. 52-53.
Standards of medical help for hospitals, 1994. Belgorod, Russia.
