When extracting seaweeds, is it safe to place the ethanolic extracts (80%; placed in beaker, covered w aluminum foil) in hot air oven @ 60 deg C for 24 hrs?
Considering Boiling Point of 780C; it sounds that there should not be any problem. However, It is a volatile and flammable,
It's been a while, but I remember using this procedure but at 55 deg. C
its better to keep at ambient room temperature for 24 hrs. Instead you can use vacuum or rotary evaporator for safer use.
Use room temperature for 24 h, repeat another two more times for maximum extraction yield. Cheers & best regards.
Or try Soxhlet extraction system.
Thank you, Sir Karbassi, Sir Reznik, Sir Sudhakar, and Sir Wijesekara for all you recommendations. Another question, instead of ethanol, can I use water as an extracting solvent and use room temperature for 24 hours then filter it through Whatman No. 1 paper? Do you have any other recommendations for aqueous extraction of seaweeds for antimicrobial assessment? Thank you so much!
If u use water as a solvent then you should keep under sterile environment. Because after 24 hrs there may be a microbial load and creates foul smell. You can extract immediately under room temperature and store the filtered one at 4oC. Then you can filter through 0.22 or 0.45 micron filter your extract and check the antimicrobial activity. you can extract 2 to 3 times in pestle and mortar
Thanks dear Kristiana. Yes, this depends on your final targeted molecules; for polysaccharides; after 24 h extraction with stirring at 4 degree C, filter using a muslin cloth (due to soluble polysaccharides, proteins, etc this will yield a very viscous extract), and add ethanol three volumes to the filtrate and keep at 4 degree C to precipitate crude polysaccharides, for proteins; use ammonium sulfate precipitation, etc. for; phenolics/phlorotannins; use the water extract after rotary evaporation, etc. Use millipore water or DW, and you can use buffers as well. Best regards.
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