Phytochemical and ecological analysis of two varieties of HEMP (cannabis sativa L.) grown in a mountain environment (italian alps)

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L., Cannabaceae) is a multifunctional crop that is capable of prompt environmental adaptation. Critical conditions in mountain environment could deeply influence the phytochemical composition of inflorescences (cannabinoids and terpenes) and seeds (fatty acids and protein). In this study, a monoecious cultivar (Futura 75) and a dioecious one (Finola) were tested in a mountain area in Valsaviore (Rhaetian Alps, Italy; elevation: 1.100 m a.s.l.) during the growing season 2018. Ecological (CSR functional strategy of Grime) and phytochemical behaviour (HPLC-high-resolution mass spectrometry and GC-MS approach) of both varieties was considered. Both the genotypes are mainly competitors although Finola is more stress tolerator (C:S:R = 57:26:17%) than Futura (C:S:R = 69:15:16%). The Finola inflorescences were characterised by higher quantities of b-ocimene and α-terpiolene, while in Futura 75 α- and β-pinene accompanied by extremely high b-myrcene were predominated. Both chemovars were particularly rich in sesquiterpenes: 45 different compounds were identified among which trans-caryophyllene and α-humulene were the most abundant. Total tetrahydrocannabinol level was lower than 0.1% and since both varieties analysed belongs to the fibre-type hemp, the most abundant cannabinoid was cannabidiolic acid without significant differences between two genotypes: 2.3% found in Finola vs 2.7% for Futura 75. The level of corresponding neutral form, cannabidiol, varied drastically and it was found 5- times higher in Finola than in Futura 75 (0.27% vs 0.056%). Finola showed the unique cannabinoid profile with unexpectedly high cannabidivarin, 2-fold higher that corresponding acidic analogue, whereas the particularity of Futura 75 was the occurrence of cannabigerolic acid in the quantities that was double than those exposed for Finola. The seeds showed to be rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and Finola showed a higher ratio ω6/ω3. No difference was found in the protein content and the SDS-PAGE profile was similar. The most abundant protein was the storage protein edestin, directly identified by mass spectrometry, some proteins associated with heat shock were also found. In conclusion, comprehensive quality study of two C. sativa fibre-type varieties cultivated in Italian Alps displayed specific, legal and safe cannabinoids profile, followed by particular terpene composition and polyunsaturated fatty acids content. This indicate that hemp inflorescences and seeds variety and provenience should be consider for a specific end-use nutraceutical application.