Functional Nutrients and Antioxidant Activity of Cannabis Sativa L

Cannabis sativa L. is a versatile plant globally recognized for its nutritional, pharmacological and industrial applications. Several researchers and studies have explored its biochemical composition and cannabinoid rich inflorescences, limited scientific information are available on the biochemical composition of Cannabis sativa L cultivated in West Africa particularly in Ondo state strains. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional composition, phytochemical content, and antioxidant activity of different anatomical parts (leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and the composite blends) of Cannabis sativa L. cultivated in Ondo State, Nigeria. Samples of Cannabis sativa were collected and separated into individual plant tissues, including leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and the blend which is the composite of the whole-plant sample. Proximate analysis was conducted to determine moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, fiber, and carbohydrate contents using standard analytical procedures. Phytochemical constituents including saponins, alkaloids, oxalates, tannins, phenols, and flavonoids were quantified using spectrophotometric techniques. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The Seeds exhibited the highest lipid content (36.44%), while leaves contained the highest protein concentration (19.63%). Structural tissues such as stems and roots showed remarkably high fiber levels (45.76% and 47.13%, respectively). Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of biological active compounds across all plant parts. Leaves exhibited the highest flavonoid concentration (8.25 mg/100 g), whereas roots showed the highest alkaloid levels (6.92%). Antioxidant assays revealed strong radical scavenging activity, with the composite sample demonstrating the highest DPPH inhibition (91.55%) and stems showing the highest FRAP value (142.93 mg/100 g). These findings highlight the biochemical diversity of Cannabis sativa cultivated in Ondo state, Nigeria and its potential as a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, with high variability across different plant tissues. Its antioxidant richness, especially in the composite and stem, suggests potential applications in the nutraceutical, functional food, and pharmaceutical industries. These findings contribute valuable data toward the safe utilization and valorization of Cannabis sativa as a multipurpose medicinal plant.