Effects of Fulvic Acid on Skin

A composition which has bactericidal or bacteriostatic properties comprises coal-derived fulvic acid or a salt or a derivative thereof as active ingredient in a suitable carrier. The carrier is preferably water. ____________________________________________________________________________ Bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal method using fulvic acid derivatives United States Patent 5,204,368 Inventors: Cronje , et al. Patent Issued: April 20, 1993 Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the class of coal-derived fulvic acid or a salt or a derivative thereof as active ingredient in a suitable carrier, useful as a bactericidal or bacteriostatic agent. The carrier is preferably water. The use of bactericides is one of the most effective ways to prevent biofouling and the concomitant corrosion. In a field trial, it was found that oxifulvic acid I was more effective in controlling the growth and proliferation of microorganisms in industrial water cooling systems than Bio Met. In: METHODOLOGY FOR EVALUATION OF BIOCIDAL ACTIVITY ____________________________________________________________________________ The present invention relates to compounds of the class of coal-derived fulvic acid or a salt or a derivative thereof as active ingredient in a suitable carrier, useful as a bactericidal or bacteriostatic agent. The carrier is preferably water. The use of bactericides is one of the most effective ways to prevent biofouling and the concomitant corrosion. In a field trial, it was found that oxifulvic acid I was more effective in controlling the growth and proliferation of microorganisms in industrial water cooling systems than Bio Met. In: METHODOLOGY FOR EVALUATION OF BIOCIDAL ACTIVITY ____________________________________________________________________________ Anesio, AM and Hollas, C and Graneli, W and J. Laybourn-Parry. 2004. Influence of humic substances on bacterial and viral dynamics in freshwaters Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Volume: 70, Number: 8, Pages: 4848-4854 Abstract: Bacterial and viral abundances were measured in 24 lakes with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations ranging from 3 to 19 mg of C liter(-1). In addition, a laboratory experiment was performed to test the effects of different sources of carbon (i.e., glucose and fulvic acids) and nutrients on the dynamics of viruses and bacteria. In the lake survey, no correlation was found between virus abundance and DOC concentration, yet there was a significant positive correlation between bacterial abundance and DOC concentration. A negative correlation was found between the virus-to-bacteria ratio and DOC level. These results are in agreement with our findings in the laboratory, where virus counts were significantly lower in treatments with fulvic acid additions than in a control (mean, 67.4% +/6.5% of the control). Virus counts did not differ significantly among the control and treatments with glucose, indicating that it was the type of organic carbon and not quantity which had an impact on viruses. Results from this study suggest that the way viruses control bacterial assemblages in humic lakes is different from the mechanism in clear water systems. ____________________________________________________________________________