Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2026.001
Metals and Secondary Metabolites in Industrial Hemp Plants Grown in Contaminated Soil
Roman Štukelj
orcid.org/0000-0001-7352-7012
; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Institute, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Marko Flajšman
; University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty, Department of Agronomy, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Elma Omeragić
orcid.org/0000-0002-5996-4926
; University of Sarajevo-Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
*
Belma Imamović
orcid.org/0000-0002-2500-1419
; University of Sarajevo-Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Analysis, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Amila Turalić
orcid.org/0000-0001-7137-8594
; University of Sarajevo-Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Bromatology and Nutrition, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ervina Bečić
; University of Sarajevo-Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Analysis, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) shows strong potential for phytoremediation due to its deep root system and high biomass; however, its ability to accumulate heavy metals raises concerns regarding its medicinal use.
The aim of the study was to determine and compare the presence of five metals (Cd, As, Pb, Zn, and Fe) in three different plant organs/tissues and in inflorescence extracts in order to assess their suitability for food or medicinal use. Zinc was included as an essential micronutrient for comparison with toxic metal accumulation.
The results demonstrate that hemp grown on contaminated soils accumulates elevated levels of cadmium and lead, primarily in the roots, while metal transfer to inflorescences and extracts remains limited. Genetic differences among breeding lines had little effect on metal uptake, indicating that cultivation for food, dietary supplement, or medicinal purposes should be restricted to uncontaminated soils in order to minimise health risks to patients and consumers.
Keywords
hemp plant; cultivation; metals; secondary metabolites; contaminated soil
Hrčak ID:
350168
URI
Publication date:
14.9.2026.
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