Hemp fiber is increasingly being studied as a renewable reinforcement material for high-performance composites.

In this study, researchers combined hemp fabric with a recyclable thermoplastic resin and activated carbon nanoparticles to examine changes in mechanical strength, electrical behavior and thermal performance.

The results show how hemp-based biocomposites can be engineered for more advanced applications, expanding the plant’s potential beyond traditional fiber products into lightweight, multifunctional materials.

“This research examines the influence of various concentrations (0%, 1%, 1.4% and 1.8% by weight) of activated carbon nanoparticles (AC NPs) on the performance of Elium biocomposites reinforced with hemp fibers.

Unidirectional [0°/0°] laminates with 20% fiber volume fraction were fabricated via hand layup using two layers of 150 GSM hemp fabric and compression molded to achieve 0.9 mm cured thickness.

Quasi-static tensile testing (ASTM D3039, 2 mm/min, 100 mm gauge length) revealed a pronounced non-monotonic relationship between AC NPs loading and mechanical properties, with optimal performance at 1.0 wt.% fillers and catastrophic degradation at 1.8 wt.%. AC NPs filled composites, which were then characterized by their electrical and thermal behavior.

Electrically, it also achieved minimum resistivity (1.62 Ω·m) and maximum conductivity (0.62 S·m^-1), in contrast to the elevated resistance (42.5 kΩ) found in samples with a higher filler content.

Thermal analysis showed a slight effect on the degradation of the onset temperature (300 °C) and a higher charring after addition of AC NP. Finite element analysis (FEA) provided a corroboration for these experimental findings, with simulations verification.

Microscopy revealed cohesive fractures in the 1.0 wt.% composite whereas voids and brittle failure were evident in samples with higher loading. Hence, the concentration of 1.0 wt.% AC NP offers the best trade off of mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41516850

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/1/66

Hemp fabrics are increasingly being explored as sustainable materials that can be enhanced with added functional properties.

In this study, researchers used soy protein isolate to support the in-situ formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles directly on hemp fabric, creating a more sustainable finishing process.

The treated fabrics showed improved multifunctional performance, highlighting the potential for hemp textiles to be developed for advanced applications beyond conventional clothing and fiber products.

“This study presents an environmentally sustainable finishing approach for hemp fabrics by combining soy protein isolate (SPI) pretreatment with an in situ infrared (IR)-assisted synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs).

IR heating was employed to reduce energy consumption while promoting efficient nanoparticle formation compared to conventional thermal processing, while SPI acted as a bio-based stabilizer to enable uniform ZnO NP distribution on the fabric surface. Transmission electron microscopy revealed predominantly spherical to polyhedral ZnO NPs with minimal agglomeration, and X-ray diffraction confirmed their characteristic wurtzite crystalline structure. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping further verified the homogeneous deposition of ZnO NPs on hemp fibers.

The treated fabrics exhibited multifunctional performance, showing significantly enhanced ultraviolet (UV) protection with a UV protection factor (UPF) of 50+ compared with untreated hemp.

Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was confirmed by the AATCC TM147 test, while a quantitative AATCC TM100 assessment demonstrated an excellent antibacterial efficiency of 99.99% bacterial reduction against S. aureus. Additionally, the incorporation of 2 wt% SPI significantly improved fabric hydrophilicity and wettability.

Overall, this work demonstrates a green and effective strategy for producing antibacterial and UV-protective hemp textiles.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41516899

“This study successfully developed a novel antibacterial finishing process for hemp fabrics by combining SPI pretreatment with an IR-assisted in situ synthesis of ZnO NPs.”

“Consequently, this work provides a generalized and scalable framework for the development of eco-friendly antibacterial and UV-protective textile finishes.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/1/116

Hempseed protein is finding new uses as a functional ingredient in sustainable food-packaging technologies.

In this study, researchers used hempseed protein nanoparticles to stabilize a ginger essential-oil nanoemulsion incorporated into an edible film designed to both protect food and indicate freshness. The resulting material showed improved antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, stronger barrier properties, and color changes in response to conditions associated with spoilage.

The findings highlight hempseed protein’s potential role in developing bio-based “smart” packaging that can help preserve food while also signaling changes in freshness.

“The present study aimed to develop a multipurpose edible film with active (antioxidant/antimicrobial) and intelligent (food freshness monitoring) capabilities.

A Pickering nanoemulsion containing ginger essential oil (PNGEO) was prepared using hempseed protein as a stabilizer.

The effect of incorporating varying concentrations of PNGEO (0%, 5%, 10%w/v) and Aronia anthocyanin extract (AE) (0%, 4%, 8%w/v) on the physicochemical properties of films were evaluated using RSM and CCD, then optimal samples were identified using the utility function method, and their properties were examined.

The results demonstrated that the PNGEO formed a stable O/W emulsion with a Z-potential of -18.3 mV, a particle size of 108 nm, and PDI of 0.44. The encapsulation efficiencies were 91.72% for PNGEO. The AE exhibited pH-responsive color changes, transitioning from red to green across a pH range of 2-13. Increasing the AE and PNGEO enhanced the films’ water vapor barrier, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Elongation at break and tensile strength increased from 19.21% to 45.89% and from 6.25 to 15.97 MPa, respectively.

The pH color changes and sensitivity to ammonia gas confirmed the smart functionality of films. SEM and FTIR revealed minor changes in the chemical structure and strong molecular interactions between the biopolymer matrix and the incorporated components. XRD and DSC analyses indicated an increase in crystallinity index and a slight reduction in thermal stability. Release kinetics studies showed that higher temperatures and GEO content can increase the release rate and D values.

In conclusion, the film containing 8% AE and 10% PNGEO showed the best performance by simultaneously providing improvements in antioxidant/antimicrobial properties and sensitive color response to volatile spoilage compounds, and is introduced as a bio-based system with dual capabilities for maintaining quality and monitoring food freshness.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41904862

“A novel active/smart edible film based on chitosan/kappa-carrageenan was developed using a Pickering nanoemulsion containing ginger essential oil and stabilized with hempseed protein and aronia anthocyanin extract to enhance the biopolymer’s properties.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814626009222?via%3Dihub

Cannabis and hemp-derived materials are increasingly being explored in environmental technologies as well as medical and industrial research.

In this study, researchers developed nanographene–manganese oxide composite nanoparticles using a green synthesis approach and evaluated their ability to capture carbon dioxide. The material showed effective CO₂ adsorption, favorable adsorption behavior and reusability across repeated cycles.

The findings highlight the potential of plant-assisted nanomaterials for more sustainable carbon-capture technologies.

“In this study, hybrid composite nanoparticles (MnO-NG/green) containing nanographene (NG) and manganese oxide (MnO) were produced by using an environmentally friendly synthesis approach, and their CO₂ adsorption performance was investigated in detail.

The conventional method was used to synthesize MnO-NG composites, which were then compared with MnO-NG/green composites prepared via green synthesis using bioextract from the hemp plant.

The composite nanoparticles were structurally characterized using various analytical methods, including FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, and BET analyses. The surface morphology of the composites obtained through green synthesis demonstrated a more homogeneous and regular distribution of MnO nanoparticles on the NG surface.

BET analysis revealed that the specific surface area of the MnO-NG/green composites was 629 m²/g, with a mean pore diameter of 4.65 nm. CO₂ adsorption tests were conducted at 273 and 298 K under 1 bar, and it was determined that the MnO-NG/green composites achieved 5.81 and 4.94 mmol/g CO₂ uptake capacities, respectively.

These values were significantly higher than those of NG (2.59-2.07 mmol/g) and conventional MnO-NG (4.43-3.74 mmol/g) composites. Analysis of the adsorption isotherm models indicated that the experimental data were better fitted by the Langmuir model. The calculated isosteric heat of adsorption (Q _st, 19.4-24.5 kJ/mol) suggests that the adsorption of CO₂ by MnO-NG/green composites predominantly occurs via physisorption. The MnO-NG/green composites demonstrated high structural stability and thermal resistance in five-cycle reusability tests, showing a reuse efficiency of 97%.

This study clearly demonstrates that the production of MnO-NG/green composite nanoparticles via a green synthesis offers a promising approach.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42110753

“This study provides a strong demonstration of the successful production of nanographene-manganese oxide (NG-MnO) composite nanoparticles via an environmentally friendly green synthesis method and of the use of this structure as a high-performance adsorbent for CO₂ capture applications. Superior properties were exhibited by MnO-NG/green composites produced using bioextracts from the hemp plant”

“In conclusion, the achievement of sustainable material production through a green synthesis approach with low environmental impact is not the study’s only accomplishment. The development of a high-performance, reusable, and environmentally friendly adsorbent that can contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions is another. The resulting MnO-NG/green nanocomposites could be used in many different ways, from in the lab to in industry, which makes them a good choice for next-generation adsorbents in carbon capture technologies.”

https://pubs.acs.org/acsodf/article/11/17/25730/5145806/Green-Synthesis-and-Characterization-of

Hemp protein is being explored as a functional ingredient in advanced food and material systems, but its performance depends heavily on how it interacts with other molecules.

In this study, researchers examined how formic acid interacts with hemp protein and how those interactions influence the protein’s structure, solubility and ability to stabilize Pickering emulsions.

The findings help explain how hemp protein can be modified to improve emulsion stability, supporting its potential use in food, pharmaceutical and other formulation technologies.

“Anti-solvent precipitation using formic acid (FA, 0-98%, v/v) was developed to fabricate hemp protein nanoparticles (HPNs) for Pickering emulsion stabilization.

FA ≥10% (v/v) increased hemp protein solubility from 38.0% to 86.9% by solubilizing storage globulins, yielding HPNs with tunable sizes (100-780 nm), high ζ-potentials (>30 mV), and adjustable contact angles (57.7°-126.6°).

HPNs prepared at 40% FA exhibited optimal interfacial properties, including the lowest interfacial tension and highest emulsifying activity index (∼1800 m²/g), forming Pickering emulsions with 3-week stability and solid-like rheology.

Spectroscopic analysis revealed concentration-dependent conformational changes: invariant Raman spectra confirmed intact primary bonds, while fluorescence and UV-vis indicated initial unfolding (10-40%) followed by refolding (50-98%), and FT-IR showed that β-sheet content peaked at 61% (40% FA), which correlated with optimal interfacial performance.

Molecular dynamics simulations elucidated a dynamic “besieging effect” where numerous FA molecules collectively disrupted edestin’s hydrogen-bond network via weak interactions (binding energy -3.1 kcal/mol), inducing transient conformational expansion.

This work demonstrates the feasibility of FA as a solvent system for hemp protein nanoparticle fabrication and provides mechanistic insights into unconventional protein-solvent interactions, offering a foundation for future food-grade applications.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42637338

“Tunable hemp protein nanoparticles with adjustable wettability are fabricated for Pickering emulsion stabilization.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096399692601865X?via%3Dihub

As cannabis legalization expands, questions remain about how society should respond when minors possess, use or attempt to purchase marijuana.

This study surveyed more than 1,500 U.S. registered voters about penalties and interventions for underage cannabis-related behavior. Respondents generally showed stronger support for parental notification, community service and drug education than for jail time, while support varied depending on the specific offense.

The findings provide a snapshot of public attitudes toward balancing accountability, prevention and punishment in the legalization era.

“Background: As adult nonmedical marijuana use becomes legal in many U.S. states, policymakers have adopted a range of responses to underage marijuana-related behaviors, often emphasizing punitive consequences. The extent to which these approaches align with public preferences remains unclear.

Methods: Data were drawn from an online survey of 1502 U.S. registered voters recruited from a national opt-in online panel. Analyses assessed support for a range of consequences for underage marijuana-related behaviors (i.e., possession, use, sale, and use of false identification), with selected bivariate comparisons across demographic groups.

Results: Respondents supported penalties for using false identification (89%) and selling marijuana (84%); fewer supported penalties for possession (59%) or use (57%). For attempted purchases, parental notification (79%), community service (64%), and drug education (58%) were more commonly endorsed than jail time (18%). Several differences by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and parent status were observed.

Conclusions: Respondents generally expressed greater support for parental notification, community service, and education as a response to underage violations of marijuana laws than for punitive responses. Policies that emphasize supportive, health-oriented responses, alongside stronger adult and industry accountability, may be more consistent with public attitudes and more effective than punitive responses in advancing youth protection goals in legalized contexts.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42640046

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10826084.2026.2722321

Hemp seeds contain more than protein and fatty acids—they also provide complex polysaccharides that may have biological effects.

In this animal study, researchers examined polysaccharides from stir-fried Cannabis sativa seeds in rats with blood deficiency syndrome. Using metabolomics and gut microbiota analysis, they found changes in metabolic pathways and intestinal microbial communities associated with the treatment.

The findings suggest that hemp seed polysaccharides may influence blood-related physiological processes through interactions between metabolism and the gut microbiome.

“This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of raw hemp seed polysaccharides (HSP) and stir-fried hemp seed polysaccharides (FHSP) in a rat model of blood-deficiency syndrome induced by cyclophosphamide and acetylphenylhydrazine.

Both HSP and FHSP are acidic heteropolysaccharides primarily composed of arabinose, galacturonic acid, and galactose, but differ in molecular weight, monosaccharide ratios, and microstructure. Methylation and GC-MS analyses indicated that HSP and FHSP shared similar major glycosidic linkage types, predominantly including →5)-Araf-(1→, Galp-(1→, →4)-GalAp-(1→, and →6)-Galp-(1→, but differed in their relative molar proportions.

In vivo experiments showed that both HSP and FHSP significantly improved hematological parameters (RBC, WBC, HGB, and HCT), regulated cytokine levels (EPO, G-CSF, TNF-α, and IL-6), and alleviated splenic damage. Compared with HSP, FHSP produced more pronounced improvements in several evaluated indicators under the present experimental conditions.

Mechanistic analyses suggested that the beneficial effects of FHSP may be associated with the JAK1-STAT1 signaling pathway, amelioration of splenic metabolic dysfunction involving arachidonic acid, glutathione, riboflavin, and arginine and proline metabolism, and modulation of the gut microbial community.

These findings suggest that FHSP has potential for alleviating blood deficiency syndrome and provide new insights into the further development and application of hemp seed polysaccharides.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42629028

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996926014754?via%3Dihub