Study of hemp suggests surprising value in roots
Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service have published results of a three-year study of hemp plant roots – concluding there are new opportunities for industrial hemp growers, as well as potential avenues for paediatric cancer research.
While the above ground part of Cannabis sativa L. plants, or industrial hemp, is used for fibre production and grain (as a source of protein and oil), its roots have often been unutilised.
Dr Korey Brownstein and his research team collaborated with scientists at the Paediatric Oncology Laboratory at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, and found molecules showed moderate activity in killing paediatric cancer cells in the laboratory setting.
"We believe this new discovery offers industrial hemp growers a potential new revenue stream from a part of the plant that was previously overlooked,” said Brownstein. “Unlike crops such as corn or soybeans, which have multiple uses, hemp has been limited in scope. But if we treat hemp as a multi-use crop, we can expand its applications and market: paper, grain, fibre and now, potentially, pharmaceutical compounds from the roots. The discovery of these compounds adds value to this commodity.”
The team’s next steps include scaling up compound extraction for larger, more controlled functional studies. “By adding value to the roots, we’re giving farmers more stability and more reasons to invest in this emerging crop,” he added.
