Complete Solutions for the Industrial Hemp Market: Flower, Stalk, Seed, Leaves & Root

Importance of the topic

Hemp offers an environmentally friendly raw material portfolio with applications in textiles, construction, biofuels, food, pharmaceuticals, and composites. Robust analytical and testing methods are vital to ensure quality, safety, compliance and to optimize product performance across the entire value chain.

Objectives and overview of the study

This brochure presents Shimadzu’s comprehensive solutions for profiling hemp flower, stalk, seed, leaves, and root. It covers analytical techniques and physical testing methods to characterize cannabinoids, terpenes, contaminants, mechanical and thermal properties, nutritional content, and structural integrity from raw material through final product.

Methodology and Instrumentation used

The approach combines chromatographic, spectroscopic, thermal, imaging and mechanical test platforms:

• Chromatography and MS: HPLC/UHPLC, GC/GC-FID, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF
• Spectroscopy: UV-Vis-NIR, FTIR (ATR and microscopy), XRD
• Elemental analysis: AA, ICP, ICP-MS, EDXRF
• Thermal analysis: DSC, TGA, TMA, DTG
• Imaging: Industrial X-ray CT, high-speed video, AFM
• Particle analysis: Laser diffraction
• Physical testing: Universal tensile testers, compression and bending frames
• Support instruments: Balances, moisture analyzers, data-compliance software

Key results and discussion

Practical demonstrations and data highlighted:

• Separation of 11 cannabinoids in under 10 minutes for potency and legal compliance
• Tensile, tear, and stretch testing of hemp textiles and composites for strength and durability
• UV-Vis-NIR evaluation of fabric transmittance and reflectance for insulation and illumination
• FTIR and XRD monitoring of fiber chemistry and crystallinity during purification
• Compression, bending and shear tests for geotextiles, hempcrete and natural fiber composites
• Thermal behavior analysis of epoxy resins and cellulose nanofibrils by DSC and TGA
• Bioethanol fermentation profiling by HPLC and residual methanol quantification by GC-FID
• Nutritional profiling of seeds, including fatty acids, vitamins and amino acid analysis
• Rapid elemental screening of soils, plant additives and roots for nutrients and heavy metals by EDXRF
• CT imaging of composites revealing internal voids, delamination and structural defects

Benefits and practical applications of the method

These integrated solutions enable laboratories to:

• Guarantee product safety and accurate labeling in hemp-based nutraceuticals and cosmetics
• Optimize textile and composite manufacturing for performance and sustainability
• Monitor biofuel production processes and ensure fuel purity by standard test methods
• Develop functional foods and dietary supplements with precise nutritional analysis
• Perform fast, minimal-preparation elemental testing for agronomy and compliance
• Accelerate R&D and reduce method development time with turnkey, validated workflows

Future trends and opportunities

Key emerging areas include:

• Advanced soft-ionization mass spectrometry for detailed molecular profiling
• Online and in-line sensor integration for real-time quality monitoring
• Automated sample preparation and data compliance in regulated environments
• Machine-learning and AI-driven data analysis for high-throughput screening
• Expansion of hemp-derived materials in green construction, advanced composites and medical devices

Conclusion

A multi-technique platform is essential for end-to-end profiling of hemp and hemp-based products. Combining chromatographic, spectroscopic, thermal, imaging and mechanical test methods delivers accurate, reproducible and sustainable solutions to support the growth of the industrial hemp market.

Reference

• Canada Hemp Foods Ltd. Overview of over 50 000 uses for hemp across flower, seed, stalk, leaves and root.