Hempseed oil (HSO) is highly valued because of its nutritional properties and health benefits related to it. With a wide-ranging of essential fatty acids, hemp oil contains linoleic acid (18:2 ω-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 ω-3), two essential fatty acids with the ratio desirable to the human health (2:1 to 3:1). The health benefits associated with the ω-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-thrombotic properties. Additionally, the biological metabolite of γ-linolenic acid (18:3: GLA) existing in hempseed oil promotes its health properties. The pharmaceutical properties of hempseed oil are also related to the presence of terpenoids and other phytosterol compounds.
The oxidative predisposition of HSO exposed to heat treatments with and without the presence of anti-oxidants (α-Tocopherol, BHT and ascorbyl palmitate) was evaluated by FPEL group to measure the changes in conjugated diene hydroperoxides (CDH) and p-Anisidine value (p-AV).
Most of these bioactives rarely survive the first pass effect of the liver and extremely acidic digestive fluids in the stomach region. FPEL is developing a nano-carrier formulation for oral delivery of hempseed oil with high bioavailability. The results of this project can be used in delivery of other pharmaceutical or bioactive compounds with nano-structure carriers.
FPEL group also aims to produce nanoemulsions with improved characteristics, such as stability and compares competing technologies for formulation techniques including ultrasound and microfluidics to produce serviceable oil in water nanoemulsions based on hempseed oil (HSO).
Another research focus in this field is the route of delivery. Dr. Pratap Singh and his group are investigating various trans-mucosal routes for delivery of these bioactive components. One of the route currently being explored are the buccal and transdermal routes. Quantifying the adsorption kinetics in this field is critical to improving the bioavailability of various nutraceutical/pharmaceutical components found in natural products.