National Centre of Forest and Water Research

The laboratory at the National Centre of Forest and Water Research ensures the study process as well as research available for students and those generally interested in environmental issues by providing the possibility to do their own research or the access to various types of environmental data. The Centre carries out a wide range of studies related to forest and aquatic ecosystems, looking at the overall quality of the environment as well as the elements within the environment. In order to promote environmental quality, various studies based on circular economy principles are carried out. A major research area is the development and contribution to implementation of bioeconomy, using various biorefining approaches that integrate the reuse of biomass into the production cycle, thereby reducing the overall environmental impact of processes, while at the same time allowing the development of new, innovative products with practical applications. 

The goal of the centre – Qualitative assessment of forest and aquatic ecosystems and their constituent elements, leading to environmentally sound solutions.
 

The Research Centre's laboratory provides opportunities for Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral students to carry out research and develop research papers on the following topics:

• Sample preparation, drying methods for biomass;
• Investigation of biologically active compounds in different types of biomass, e.g. by-products of food processing, coniferous foliage, medicinal plants;
• Exploration of extraction possibilities using conventional and intensive extraction methods;
• Extraction optimisation;
• Development of chromatographic methods in natural products research;
• Analytical characterisation of biotechnology products;
• Stabilisation of biologically active substances;
• Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds;
• Analysis of environmental pollution (soil, water);
• Polyphenol content of different types of biomass;
• Environmental technology;
• Developement of environmental quality estimation methods;
• Analysis of fatty acids and glycerolipids;
• Analysis of volatile compounds.

In addition to the fundamental and applied research, the National Centre of Forest and Water Research is actively involved in the development of practically applicable research for industry partners. A range of services are offered, tailored to the individual requirements of each entrepreneur, to characterise the chemical composition of existing products as well as to help develop new, innovative products.

Research infrastructure:

• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Ultra high performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS)
• Preparative chromatography system
• Microplate reader (Fluorescence, luminescence, UV-VIS)
• Spray dryer
• Lyophilizer
• Vacuum drying at increased temperature
• Intensive extraction equipment
  etc.
  
   

• Niedrite, E., Klavins, L., Dobkevica, L., Purmalis, O., Ievinsh, G., Klavins, M. (2024). Sustainable control of invasive plants: Compost production, quality and effects on wheat germination. Journal of Environmental Management, 371, 123149.
• Zommere, A., Klavins, L., Nikolajeva, V., Kukela, A., Kaipanen, K., Korpinen, R., Klavins, M. (2024). Extraction and investigation of the lipophilic fraction from Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forestry side-stream biomass. Wood Science and Technology, 58(4), 1259-1284.
• Klavins, L., Almonaitytė, K., Šalaševičienė, A., Zommere, A., Spalvis, K., Klavins, M. (2023). Strategy of coniferous needle biorefinery into value-added products to implement circular bioeconomy concepts in forestry side stream utilization. Molecules, 28(20), 7085.
• Klavins, L., Perkons, I., Mezulis, M., Viksna, A., & Klavins, M. (2022). Procyanidins from cranberry press residues—extraction optimization, purification and characterization. Plants, 11(24), 3517.
• Klavins, M., Klavins, L., Stabnikova, O., Stabnikov, V., Marynin, A., Ansone-Bertina, L., Vaseashta, A. (2022). Interaction between microplastics and pharmaceuticals depending on the composition of aquatic environment. Microplastics, 1(3), 520-535.
• Klavins, L., Puzule, E. P., Kviesis, J., & Klavins, M. (2022). Optimisation of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) press residue extraction using a combination of pectolytic enzyme and ultrasound treatments. Journal of Berry Research, 12(1), 41-57.
   

Recent projects:

• Interreg project “Innovation in forestry biomass residue processing: towards circular forestry with added value products (CEforestry)”, started 2023
• LZP FLPP project “Biorefinery-derived Functional Ingredients for Enhanced Conjugate Stability of Natural Dyes through Co-pigmentation - ChromaQuest”, started 2025.
• Interreg project “Market driven authentic Non-Timber Forest Products from the Baltic region – focus on wild and semi cultivated species with business potential (NovelBaltic)”, 2018-2021.
• Latvian-Ukrainian collaborative project “Microplastic interaction with microorganisms on the air-water barrier and their effects on the hydroecosystems”, 2021-2022.
  etc.

Collaborative partners:

• University of Latvia, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Latvia
• Latvian Institute of organic synthesis, Latvia
• Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Latvia
• Kaunas Technical University, Department of Food Science and Technology, Lithuania
• Aalto University, Finland
• Finland Natural Resources Institute, Finland
• Oulu University, Finland
• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden