Microstructural and Microbiological Properties of Peloids and Clay Materials from Lixouri (Kefalonia Island, Greece) Used in Pelotherapy

Clays have been applied for centuries by people for many uses. From pottery to medicine, clays and clay minerals constitute part of individuals' daily routines. Natural fine-grained earth material, commonly found at Xi beach coastal area of Lixouri in Kefalonia island, was used during the last few decades by local people as well as from tourists for pelotherapy, even though this material has never been examined for its suitability for this use. This work was conducted aiming to characterize this material and determine if it is harmless and beneficial for therapeutic purposes or skin care. Field work revealed that the material is not homogenous and, therefore, some of its parts could be characterized as suitable, non-suitable or even harmful. The collected samples from Kefalonia were characterized according to their petrographic and chemical features using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Moreover, the microbial burden of the material was assessed analyzing the bacterial and fungi load. This study indicates that this geomaterial can be suitable for natural mud/peloid applications, but only in some parts of this area.

Automated summary

This study examined a natural fine-grained earth material found at Xi beach coastal area of Lixouri in Kefalonia island. It was found that the material is not homogenous and only some parts are suitable for therapeutic purposes or skin care, while others may be harmful. The samples were analyzed using various techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, X-Ray Fluorescence, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The microbial burden of the material was also assessed. The study suggests that certain parts of this area can be suitable for natural mud/peloid applications.