I'm using a clevenger apparatus to extract essential oil, when process is done, I git rid of the aqueous and collect the oil in bottle using separatory funnel. In this case, do I need for using Na2SO4 drying agent, to dehydrate the oil before GC-MS analysis?
Lara Obaid If you separate oil by using a funnel, then try to take the upper layer of essential oil, be sure that you have not taken the transition layer. Or you can use hexane or petroleum ether to separate oil from water in a better way.
In another way, you can use hexane or petroleum ether in the Clevenger apparatus while extracting oil. Though the extracted essential oil does not mix with water and easily separates.
After separation if your extracted essential oil is clear, doesn't contains any water bubbles in between or separately and also appears not cloudy then without using drying agent you can proceed for GC-MS analysis. However if their is any chance that water bubbles are present within the sample oil then use drying agent to avoid any discrepancy.
Lara Obaid
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Phytochemistry
- Extracts