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Drought can significantly impact fiber crop cultivation due to the plants' specific water requirements and their extended vegetative period. The purpose of the research was to examine how drought stress affects the quality and chemical composition of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fibers. A three-year pot experiment was conducted in a plant growth facility, using controlled drought stress for hemp plants. Soil moisture levels were maintained at three levels, where 45% field water capacity was the control and 35% and 25% FWC were drought. A comprehensive suite of fiber quality characterization techniques, including linear density measurement, tenacity assessment, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD), was employed to evaluate the impact of drought stress on fiber properties. The chemical composition of hemp fibers was thoroughly analyzed, quantifying the content of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and lignin. The findings indicate that drought conditions significantly influence linear density, wax and fat content, as well as the crystallinity of the fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis sativa L. is an extremely variable species. Even within the same cultivar plants can significantly differ in the content and profile of cannabinoids. Therefore, the best method for production of uniform plants and standardized raw material is vegetative propagation using clones. The aim of this study was to determine the content of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN) in clonally propagated plants of industrial hemp. One hundred and thirty-nine plants representing 17 different hemp genotypes were regenerated in vitro, hardened, and grown in a vegetation hall until harvest. Single plants of each accession were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with UV/diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD/UV). The results revealed significant variability in the total cannabinoid content (0.55–5.18% in dry weight) among tested genotypes and within the Epsilon 68 cultivar. The highest content of total CBD (4.410%) was recorded for EPS/40 genotype, while the level of total Δ9-THC was below the allowed threshold (0.3%). Therefore, we can conclude that some clonally propagated plants provided reproducible hemp material as a potential source of cannabidiol. The results of this study will be useful for breeding and early selection of hemp genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemp fiber variety, Bialobrzeskie, contains phenolic acids in its chemical composition giving it inherent antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The use of this raw material in fabric manufacture allows the creation of functional clothing with a positive effect on human skin. The aim of the study was to develop biologically active functional clothing made of pure industrial hemp raw materials, where cannabidiol (CBD) extract applied on the fabric surface strengthened the fiber bioactivity. The design of the clothing technology was focused on keeping the hemp inherent properties on a steady level and avoiding the use of chemicals in each stage of the value chain from plant cultivation up to garment manufacture. The research covered the evaluation of phenolic acids content and The Ferric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Power FRAP antioxidant activity of the hemp fabric. The hemp fabric enriched with CBD was used for clothing preparation. The human trials covered wearing of the clothing by 15 volunteers for six weeks and evaluation of hemp garment effect on human skin. The skin parameters were tested twice, before and after six weeks of clothing wearing, according to the own methodology that included measurements of skin biophysical properties including tests of skin moisture, transepidermal water loss, and sebum. Also, the effect of the active substances present on the fabrics on the in vitro culture of human keratinocytes was evaluated. Results of the research proved, that the wearing of developed functional hemp clothing with CBD extracts applied on the fabric surface was safe and caused improvement of skin condition, which can have an influence on slowing down of skin aging. The invention covering the pure hemp functional clothing with hybrid bioactivity resulting from the joined activity of fiber and cannabidiol was applied for a patent, Patent Application No: P.438388, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]