Comprehensive Analysis of Shungite’s Antibacterial Properties and Related StudiesThis comprehensive analysis evaluates the scientific evidence for shungite’s antibacterial properties, addressing both supporting and non-supporting studies, as well as related research. Shungite, a carbon-rich mineraloid primarily found in Karelia, Russia, has been traditionally used for water purification and is claimed to have antibacterial effects. The analysis is current as of 2025, it draws on recent studies and reputable sources to ensure accuracy.
Introduction: Shungite is a non-crystalline mineraloid with up to 98% carbon, including trace amounts of fullerenes (C₆₀ molecules), which are spherical carbon nanostructures. Its antibacterial properties are often attributed to these fullerenes and its ability to adsorb contaminants in water. This report explores the scientific basis for these claims, identifying both supporting evidence and limitations, and discusses the broader context of related studies.
Discussion and Controversy: There is significant controversy around shungite’s health claims, particularly its antibacterial properties. While lab studies show promise, the lack of human clinical trials and concerns about heavy metal leaching limit its practical applications. The evidence leans toward shungite being effective for water purification in controlled settings, but its safety and efficacy for human consumption and treating infections remain unproven. This aligns with broader debates in alternative medicine, where traditional uses often outpace scientific validation.
Supporting Evidence for Antibacterial Properties:
- Microbiological and Chemical Properties of Shungite Water (2022)
Source: ResearchGate
Key Findings: This study tested a 3:7 hot water extract of shungite and found bactericidal effects against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus uberis. After 24 hours, no colonies were recovered (CFU/mL = 0) for these bacteria, compared to distilled water averages of 300,285 CFU/mL for E. coli, 45,700 for P. aeruginosa, and 54,142 for S. uberis. However, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae survived as well as in distilled water.
Mechanism: The antibacterial effect was not due to low pH (neutralised from 2.56 to 6.78 without losing efficacy) or sulfites (negligible content). The study explored whether aluminum (2.1% in rock vs. 5% in residue) could explain the effect, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. It also noted that oxygraphene, a possible constituent, showed kill rates of 10.5% at 5 μg/mL, 69.3% at 40 μg/mL, and 91.6% at 80 μg/mL against E. coli after 2 hours, with initial concentrations between 10⁶ and 10⁷ CFU/mL.
Context: The study mentioned that shungite filters can adsorb E. coli, with 25 mL of water containing >10⁶ CFU/mL becoming microbiologically clean after 3 days with 15 g of shungite, supporting its use in water treatment.
Citation: Microbiological and chemical properties of shungite water - Shungite Application for Treatment of Drinking Water (2021)
Source: Journal of Water and Health
Key Findings: This review acknowledges shungite’s antibacterial properties, citing earlier research (e.g., Charykova et al., 2006). It notes that shungite can adsorb organic compounds and heavy metals while exhibiting antibacterial effects, likely due to leaching of heavy metals like copper, nickel, and zinc into water. However, it also highlights concerns about heavy metal contamination from shungite itself, with lead and cadmium exceeding maximum acceptable concentrations in drinking water for several days.
Citation: Shungite application for treatment of drinking water – is it the right choice? - Review on the Antimicrobial Properties of Carbon Nanostructures (2017)
Source: Materials (MDPI)
Key Findings: While not specifically focused on shungite, this review discusses the antimicrobial properties of carbon nanostructures (CNSs), including fullerenes, which are present in shungite. CNSs can destroy bacteria by damaging cell walls and causing electron loss in pathogens. For example, a cyclen-functionalised fullerene derivative at 7.5 μg/mL reduced E. coli by 86.1% and S. aureus by 40.7% through electrostatic attraction, and C₆₀ with light exposure (160 J/cm², 385–780 nm) reduced S. aureus by 6 log₁₀, P. aeruginosa by 1 log₁₀, E. coli by 3 log₁₀, and C. albicans by 3 log₁₀ by increasing membrane permeability. Since shungite contains fullerenes, this supports its potential antibacterial properties indirectly.
Citation: Review on the Antimicrobial Properties of Carbon Nanostructures - Extending the Storage Life of Foods Using Shungite (2023)
Source: Advancements in Life Sciences
Key Findings: This study explored shungite water’s use in food preservation, specifically for baked goods. Shungite water, due to its fullerene content, exhibited antibacterial properties that reduced bacterial contamination, potentially extending shelf life. The study developed a method to assess shungite’s bioactivity using Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation rates, finding that shungite water maintained bioactivity without affecting organoleptic properties (e.g., texture, taste) of bread. However, the study noted that antibacterial efficacy depends on contact time and shungite fraction size.
Citation: Extending the Storage Life of Foods Using Shungite - Biological Effects of C60 Fullerene Revealed with Bacterial Biosensor (2023)
Source: Nanomaterials (MDPI)
Key Findings: This study used a bacterial biosensor (Escherichia coli with a plasmid-inserted lux gene) to assess C60 fullerene’s effects, relevant to shungite’s fullerene content. It found that C60 fullerenes exhibited dose-dependent antibacterial effects, reducing E. coli viability by up to 60% at 100 μg/mL after 24 hours, likely due to membrane disruption and oxidative stress. The study suggests fullerenes in shungite could contribute to its antibacterial properties, though direct testing of shungite was not conducted.
Citation: Biological Effects of C60 Fullerene Revealed with Bacterial Biosensor
- Lack of Clinical Evidence
Source: Welzo Article
Key Findings: Despite lab-based evidence of antimicrobial effects from carbon nanostructures (e.g., fullerenes), there are no clinical studies on humans or animals confirming shungite’s ability to treat bacterial infections. A 2017 review (likely referring to Al-Jumaili et al.) found no proof that antimicrobial properties of carbon nanostructures translate to practical treatments for bacterial or viral infections in living organisms, describing it as a “laboratory fantasy” for practical applications.
Citation: Shungite Benefits: Healing Effects and Uses - Heavy Metal Leaching Concerns
Source: Journal of Water and Health
Key Findings: Shungite releases heavy metals (e.g., lead, cadmium, nickel) into water during treatment, which could offset its benefits and pose health risks if consumed. For example, lead and cadmium exceeded maximum acceptable concentrations in drinking water for a few days, and nickel exceeded for up to 2 weeks. This raises safety concerns, especially for drinking water applications.
Citation: Shungite application for treatment of drinking water – is it the right choice? - Context-Dependent Efficacy
Source: ResearchGate
Key Findings: Shungite water showed no antibacterial effects in nutrient-rich environments (e.g., Mueller–Hinton broth), even at 50% concentration, indicating its antibacterial properties may not be reliable in complex biological systems like the human body. This suggests its efficacy is limited to specific conditions, such as water without nutrients.
Citation: Microbiological and chemical properties of shungite water
- Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects (2017): A study published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity explored shungite’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against UVB-induced skin damage in hairless mice, but did not mention antibacterial properties. This highlights shungite’s broader potential health effects, though not relevant to the antibacterial question.
Citation: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity - Historical Uses: Articles like Healthline and WebMD mention shungite’s historical use for water purification, with claims of antibacterial properties, but these are often anecdotal and not backed by recent clinical studies.
Citation: Healthline
- Research suggests shungite has antibacterial properties, especially for water purification, but the evidence is mostly from lab studies, not human treatments.
- There is controversy, as some studies show it can leach heavy metals into water, raising safety concerns.
- It seems likely that shungite can kill certain bacteria like E. coli in water, but it’s unclear if it works in the body or treats infections.
Furthur Considerations - Shungite Grades and Their Implications for Water Purification: Most shungite sold for water purification from Karelia is low-grade, typically Type II (50–70% carbon) or Type III (30–50% carbon), due to their abundance and lower cost compared to elite (Type I) shungite, which contains 90–98% carbon and trace fullerenes (Healthline; Shungite Benefits: Healing Effects and Uses). This is problematic because low-grade shungite has a higher likelihood of leaching heavy metals like lead, cadmium and nickel into water, posing health risks if consumed, as noted in studies where these metals exceeded safe drinking water limits for days to weeks Shungite application for treatment of drinking water – is it the right choice?. Additionally, Type II and III shungite lack significant fullerene content, reducing their antibacterial efficacy compared to Type I, which benefits from fullerenes’ ability to disrupt bacterial membranes Biological Effects of C60 Fullerene Revealed with Bacterial Biosensor. Elite (Type I) shungite, found only in specific Karelian deposits like the Zazhoginskoye field, is the best option for water purification due to its higher carbon and fullerene content, which enhances antibacterial properties and minimises impurities. However, its rarity and higher cost make it less common in commercial products.
What This Means for You: If you’re considering using shungite for water purification, it may help reduce some bacterial contamination, but proper preparation and post-creation water monitoring for heavy metals must be conducted to ensure safety. Elite (Type I) shungite is the best option due to its higher carbon and fullerene content, which enhances antibacterial efficacy and reduces impurities, but you should verify the grade, as most shungite sold as 'water grade' is lower-grade Type II or III, which may leach harmful metals. For treating infections, it’s best to rely on proven medical treatments, as the science does not yet support shungite’s efficacy in human applications.
Conclusion: Research does indicate shungite has antibacterial properties, particularly for water purification, with studies showing it can kill certain bacteria like E. coli in lab settings. Fullerenes in elite (Type I) shungite may contribute to these effects by disrupting bacterial membranes. However, there is controversy due to potential heavy metal leaching, particularly from low-grade Type II or III shungite commonly sold for water purification, which poses safety risks and a lack of clinical evidence for treating human infections. The evidence leans toward elite shungite being a useful tool for water treatment and food preservation in controlled conditions, but more research is needed to confirm its safety and efficacy for human consumption and broader health applications. This analysis highlights the importance of distinguishing between lab-based findings and practical, real-world applications, especially in sensitive areas like health and safety.
Sources:
Sources:
- Microbiological and chemical properties of shungite water
- Shungite application for treatment of drinking water – is it the right choice?
- Review on the Antimicrobial Properties of Carbon Nanostructures
- Shungite Benefits: Healing Effects and Uses
- Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
- Healthline
- Extending the Storage Life of Foods Using Shungite
- Biological Effects of C60 Fullerene Revealed with Bacterial Biosensor