Extraction of Biologically Active Components From Freshwater Sapropel

Abstract

<jats:p>Sapropel has been used for different purposes - in agriculture as fertilizer, in construction as building material, in cosmetic products, in balneology also in medicine and pharmaceuticals as bioactive component. Previously sapropel has been commonly used in raw form and there is no general accepted method or standard method for obtaining sapropel extract. However, most extraction methods follow the same path. Currently, there are few extraction methods using several extractants for obtaining bioactive components from raw sapropel. The most commonly used extractant is alkaline solution. When sapropel is subjected to alkaline environment, the humic and fulvic acids, together with some lipids, vitamins and sugar, present in the raw sapropel become soluble, however other organic and mineral content present in the sapropel remain solid. Alkaline extraction is followed by filtration and water present in the aqueous mixture is evaporated off. Latvian freshwater sapropel can be used as raw material for obtaining sapropel extract and use it as remedy. But the main question for sapropel usage in medicine, balneology and pharmacy is to develop quality criteria for raw sapropel and its extracts. The quality criteria should include minimum requirements for biologically active substance concentration, pH values, antioxidants as well as physical characteristics. In future studies the differences in extract characteristics of the various deposit sites, as well as the stability of the extracts under different storage conditions should be defined; also, there is need for a common approach to develop method of extraction process for active substances from sapropel and analysis procedures of its extract.</jats:p>

Assessment of sapropel use for pharmaceutical products according to legislation, pollution parameters, and concentration of biologically active substances

“…It is vital to ensure that there is no risk of damaging any subsurface utilities (gas, electricity etc.) 19 .…”

“…The therapeutic effect of sapropel helps to restore immunity, maintain the cellular structure of various skin diseases-dermatitis, seborrhea, acne, and other rashes and other skin diseases. However, today, sapropel preparations are most widely used in balneotherapy and cosmetology, especially in the treatment of chronic or protracted diseases 3,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] .…”

“…Previously, sapropel commonly used in raw form and there is no standard methods for sapropel extraction, generally. Currently, there are few extraction methods for getting bioactive components from raw sapropel 19 . Latvian freshwater sapropel could be used as raw material for getting sapropel extract and use it as remedy.…”

Freshwater Sapropel: Biologically Active Components and Methods of Extraction

“…Sapropel has long been used as a remedy both in veterinary and human medicine. It has a positive effect on the nervous, endocrine and the cardiovascular systems, it improves the condition of the musculoskeletal system, as well as stimulates the metabolic processes in the liver (Klavina et al, 2019). For a long time, there has been an interest in extracting the active components from sapropel and utilizing them in skin care and other health care procedures.…”

“…Alkaline supernatant containing HA and FA was acidified (pH 2) with a 6 N HCl solution to flocculate the HA. The typical time for separating HA from the solution varied from 1 to 6 hrs depending on the sapropel type (Klavina et al, 2019). Residues were filtered and washed with distilled water and dried (Orru et al, 2011;Alexandrova et al, 2013;Lamar et al, 2014) and the solution was preserved for future preparation and purification of FA (Caseldine et al, 2000).…”