Optical properties and chemical composition of hemp oil

Cold-pressed Hemp oil, obtained from the Cannabis sativa plant, contains many beneficial bioactive substances. This study aims to investigate the fatty acid composition and optical properties of hemp oil, which is used as a base oil for pharmaceutical applications. To realize the set goals, gas-chromatographic methods, fluorescence spectroscopy, and spectroscopy in the visible range were applied. Unsaturated fatty acids predominate in the sample, while the saturated ones are only 9.67%. Of the monounsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid predominates at 24.02%. Of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, linolenic acid predominates at 53.25%. Sterols and vitamin E are 1.75% and 0.5%, respectively. The colorimetric characteristics were determined in the CIELab colorimetric system. The sample is relatively light for hemp oil, with a predominant yellow component and a weak red hue. Low lightness and a hue angle close to 90 degrees characterized the oil. The fluorescence emission spectrum shows, for an excitation wavelength of 320 nm, three distinct emission regions: a peak in the 400–473 nm region; a second peak in the 500–520 nm region; and a third peak in the 670–760 nm region.