Page 17 - Cannabis&Hemp Industrial-Hemp-Brochure

Leaves: Food and Compost

Concentrated at the top of the hemp plant are the leaves, which can be used for food, animal bedding, mulch, and
compost. Hemp leaves are edible and can be used in raw leafy vegetables in salads because they are rich in digestible
proteins. In fact, the hemp leaf has been reported to have five times more protein then lettuce. The leaves are rich in
omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as described in the “Seed: Food” section of this brochure.

In addition, the leaves are rich in polyphenols, acting as powerful antioxidants. Our bodies
get these micronutrients through some plant-based foods. There are health properties for
fighting against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and digestive issues. Antioxidants have
been referred to as “free-radical scavengers” and protect against cancer and other
diseases. Polyphenol extracts have been measured in many foods by various
instruments, including UV, FTIR, LC, LC-MS(/MS) and GC-MS(/MS).
See the “Seed: Food” section of this brochure.

The leaves, which contain levels of iron and magnesium comparable to kale, can also be pressed to make juices. The
elements can be measured by Atomic Absorption (AA), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), ICP with a mass spectrometer
(ICP-MS), and EDXRF, a technique described in the “Roots” Nutrients…” section of this brochure.

The Shimadzu Atomic Absorption
AA-7000 with ASC-7000
autosampler is used for measuring
elemental nutrients.

Hemp leaves are also used in meat dishes for refreshing flavor and replacing parsley and mint. Hemp leaves can be
thought of as a superfood, just as the hemp seed. The leaves contain trace or no cannabinoids. If the leaves contain
cannabinoids, they would be in the acidic form as Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA);
the latter form would not induce the so-called “high” like THC. The leaves also contain beneficial terpenes as described
in the “Flower: QA/QC Testing” section of this brochure.

Hemp leaves can be made into mulch and compost. Compost helps plant growth when added
to soil because of organic material. The EPA has reported that 28% of what is thrown away
could be composted. Recycling the hemp leaves helps prevent methane and other greenhouse
gases from being produced in landfills. In summary, compost enriches soil, suppresses plant
disease, reduces pesticides, produces beneficial bacteria and fungi, and reduces greenhouse
gases, thus lowering carbon footprint.

Download our brochure to learn
more about our system for analysis of
greenhouse gases or request a printed
version using code C184-E041.

Analytical & Testing Solutions for Industrial Hemp 17