I have been struggling all week to find a decent paper with a protocol or extraction methods on how to extract floral compounds from bell pepper flowers using a (polar solvent) water and a (non-polar )solvent such as ether.
The idea behind the extraction is that, l can use to inoculate the fungi. The polar molecules are soluble in polar solvent -this molecules like water (hydrophilic). On the other hand, non-polar molecules are hydrophobic an are soluble in non-polar solvent. Because l don't know which compounds would be attracted to the fungi, l though l should do both extractions. Then l put the fungi in the middle of the petri dish with one compound on either side to see which way it will germinate and then measure the germination rate.
secondly, every paper states of using fresh or dried flowers, but my flowers are frozen, and l don't have fresh flowers. so, l don't know what steps should l follow first before l even begin the extraction since the flowers are frozen.
I don't know how much water or solvent l should per gram of flower?
I need help on what steps l should follow first and if any of you have you a standard protocol on how to extract general bio-active compounds from flowers/floral l would really appreciate.
Thanks
Hi,
You may use diverse of solvents based on theirs eluotropic strenghts. But supercritical fluid extraction, and Accelerated solvent extraction (Automated systems) techniques are superior for metabolite extraction from natural products. You are able to apply the mixtures of different polarity solvents at one step extraction that asissted by pressure with these state of the art systems (e.g. Mixtures of hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol in various volume ratios ). Thus by means of only one step extraction you may gather wide range of polairty compounds.
On the other hand, you need to apply sequential extraction starting from low polarity to high polarity or vice versa...Beside, water extraction of the polar ones, for hydrophobic substances I would prefer petroluem ether or dicholoromethane, for mid-polarity molecules ethanol or alcohol derivates would be helpfull...
Additionally if you have concern about organic ingredients at your final extracts, recent studies suggests that deep eutectic solvents, (DES or NADES) are very good alternatives for green extraction purposes...You may research and synthesis DES at different polarity compositions for gaining inorganic full sepctrum extract.
Emir...
I read your message and find quite interesting and let s see if I can help you in future
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