Utilization of Ramie Root (Boehmeria nivea) By-product in the Fiber Industry and Safety Evaluation of the Extracted Product

Abstract

  The study aims to utilize ramie root by-products (Boehmeria nivea)-a discarded waste material in the fiber production chain-to extract a crude extract containing bioactive compounds and evaluate the safety of the resulting product. Using ultrasound-assisted extraction with 95% ethanol, technological parameters such as solvent type, solvent-to-material ratio, temperature, and extraction time were investigated to optimize the extraction yield. The extract was chemically analyzed and subjected to acute and subchronic toxicity tests in mice. Results showed that the extract had high contents of rutin, polyphenols, and flavonoids, exhibited no acute toxicity at doses up to 15.0 g/kg, and was safe for short-term use at doses up to 2.0 g/kg. This research highlights the potential for developing health-supporting products from ramie root by-products-a readily available natural resource-thereby contributing to the reduction of biological waste and the advancement of safe, sustainable herbal-based healthcare products.