We are testing crude extracts taken from various parts of taro and comparing their cytotoxicity against PC-3 cancer line. Are there any dangers that we should expect/watch out for from acquired taro extracts? If so, what are these?
Hello John Cody Gerson Sespeñe ,
Depending on the type of solvent (e.g. water, ethanol, methanol) that will you use, you will get more polar or nonpolar components. So, you must know I little bit about what type of components you want to obtain and then use the best solvent. Another issue is the material preparation to extraction. What parts of the plant are you using? Leaves, barks, and roots must be dry. Grinding them helps capture better the components. Some extracts lose components when exposed to light (UV radiation) when are heated, or exposed to high humidity. Be careful, you must store the extract very well. Some extracts, as powdered ones, could be stored at -80ºc and used later. Do not use parts of the plants stored for a long time to make new extracts, the components could be different from the fresh parts. Environmental and biological agents (e.g. light, humidity, fungus, and bacteria) could degrade the plant material and you will not get the same components. It could influence your tests, changing chemically the extracts and obtaining different biological results.