Dr. chem. Māris Lauberts

Scientific interests and competences

• Expertise in different extraction and fractionation techniques of plant biomass, development of strategies for selective, cost effective target compound obtaining, with emphasis on biologically active substances, use of new (advanced) and environmentally friendly solvents for the efficient separation of biologically active substances, including innovative solvents such as liquified gases, ionic liquids e.t.c. for separation of secondary metabolites from different biomass types.
• The comprehensive chemical characterization and antioxidant activity of both individual compounds and total extracts, including the effects of biologically active substances in real biosystems, such as foods (fractionated, purified antioxidants for further use in cosmetics, health care, agriculture, industry).
• Many-sided characterisation of plant biomass complex compound mixtures, using diverse analytical approaches and methods, with emphasis on phytochemical screening methods (qualitative and quantitative total amount determination of diverse chemical group compounds).
• Preparation of knowledge-based recommendations for the potential use and marketing of plant extracts. Transmission of developed methods and techniques to industrial scale.