Comparative Analysis of Heavy Metals and Useful Components of Marine Resources with Potential Healing Properties

Abstract

Purpose: Because of their unique biological and technological properties, the potential of marine resources in cosmetic applications is well recognized. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis to investigate the safety and quality of various potential marine resources for healing and clinical applications were collected from four regions in South Korea: Uljin, Goseong, Wando, and Taean. Methods: A total of seven types of potential marine resources for healing (peat, mud, sea sand, seaweed, black pine, saline ground water, and sea water) and nine types of marine resources for clinical applications (namely, peat, mud, sea mustard, laver, black pine, sea salt, oyster, oyster boiled water, and saline ground water). Following pre-treatment of samples, we used inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to detect, chemically analyze, and quantify the concentrations of seven heavy metals and useful components (lead, arsenic, cadmium, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium) in the marine samples.. Furthermore, a mercury analyzer was employed to detect and evaluate the concentration of mercury, a common ingredient used in skin lightening soaps and creams. Results: Results of the heavy metal analysis confirmed that marine resources for healing and for clinical applications conform to all safety standards of cosmetics at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Hence, they are suitable for cosmetic applications. However, the lead content of arsenic and peat resources in seaweed was found to be high. In addition, the results of this quality comparison analysis were found to be similar to the control experiments, despite the fact that minor differences were identified between each resource. More specifically, the lead content in peat was increased, whereas the potassium content was decreased. Conclusion: In this study, the comparative analysis of heavy metals and other useful components from four local marine healing resources demonstrated that these resources are both safe and suitable for healing applications. In the future, it is expected that marine resources for healing will be utilized throughout the marine industry through more continuous and systematic research, management and supervision of industries, universities, research institutes, and government policies.