Title:
Innovative Approach for Hemp Seed Oil Extraction: Preliminary Results from the Development and Use of a Portable Field Press
Author(s):
Tomasone, R., Fischetti, E., Suardi, A., Cedrola, C., Assirelli, A., Pagano, M.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The growing focus on sustainable agriculture has renewed interest in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) as a multifunctional crop. Hemp seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids and finds application in the food, nutraceutical, and bioenergy sectors. Among available extraction methods, mechanical pressing is environmentally friendly, as it avoids the use of chemical solvents, although it typically results in lower oil yields. This study explores the feasibility of extracting hemp seed oil directly in the field using a portable mechanical press, allowing farmers to process their harvest on-site. The experiment used seeds from Codimono, an Italian hemp variety, and compared two types of raw material: “cleaned” seeds (manually selected and free of debris) and “uncleaned” seeds used as harvested, without cleaning. Two pressing techniques were tested: cold pressing (without applying heat, to preserve oil quality) and hot pressing (with moderate heat to increase yield). The results revealed that even seeds used as harvested produced significant oil quantities, supporting the potential for efficient, on-farm oil extraction. The study also analyzed the residual press cake, the solid by-product left after oil extraction, which may be repurposed as livestock feed or biomass for energy, reducing waste. This approach allows for quick estimation of crop productivity, lowers processing costs and time, and supports a circular, sustainable hemp oil value chain where multiple outputs are valued.
Keywords:
oil crops, circular economy, industrial hemp, press prototype
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Biomass resources and potentials
Event:
33rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CV.2.4
Pages:
157 - 160
ISBN:
978-88-89407-25-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/33rdEUBCE2025-1CV.2.4
Price:
FREE
