HPLC-Chip-MS/MS based proteomic profiling of Cannabis sativa as a powerful analytical tool for foodomic characterization

The seeds of numerous plants are used in human nutrition as source of fiber, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals. Currently, great interest is directed to the use of non-legume protein-rich seed as Cannabis sativa, commonly referred to as industrial hemp. Widely cultivated as a multipurpose crop, hempseeds contain a high-quality protein (about 25% of the total weight) that contains nutritionally significant amounts of all essential amino acids1. The main protein is edestin (60–80%), whereas an albumin accounts for the remaining weight2. The amino acid profile and digestibility of hempseed protein suggest that this may become an innovative food ingredient. In particular, protein isolates (HPI) are already in formulated foods owing to their functional properties (e.g. emulsification, fat and water binding, etc.) for increasing the protein content and improving the essential amino acid profile. However, recent studies suggest that treatment with suitable enzymes permits to produce hydrolysates providing useful health benefits, as hypotensive agents3. For its potential nutraceutical applications with beneficial effects upon human wellbeing, we report the first complete proteome analysis of C. sativa, using the powerful combinatorial peptide ligand libraries (CPLL) technology. Proteins characterization, obtained by HPLC-Chip-nESI-MS/MS analysis has revealed 54 specie-specific gene products. Based on their putative molecular function, most of them are involved in redox processes, in the lipid biosynthetic pathway and in the nutrient reservoir activity. Moreover, an in silico preliminary data analysis using BIOPEP tools suggest that hempseed protein isolate are possibly able to generate peptide with various biological activities, such as ACE inhibitory activity and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor.