I generally used mortar and pestle or 72 to 96 hrs solvents dissolved methods for extracting phytochemical compounds. In some cases I used soxhlet apparatus to extract those compounds. What is the difference between these extraction methods? Specifically when the questions come about qualitative and quantitative analysis or chromatographic or cell line study ? And in case of aqueous extraction 72 hrs solvents dissolved method is enough for dry powdered samples? Please share your views.
Hi Pranabesh Ghosh ,
About your first question on Soxhlet, you need to be careful with your extraction solvent. If you use a low bp solvent (such as DCM) it shouldn't be a problem, but if you use a higher bp solvent (above 50°C) you can have a degradation phenomenon of your compounds and lost some target compounds. As a prior extraction you can use standard method such as MeOH curde extract at RT, then liquid/liquid partitioning of this crude extract with increasing polarity solvent (Hexane, DCM and so on), this is a well describe method in phytochemistry, and safer for thermo-sensitive product.
For your second question about aqueous extraction be careful with degradation. I personally observed some complete degradation of extract in 50% EtOH solution and lower % in some hours. In my lab we prefer using 3 to 5x1h extraction, it's safer. But again it nos happend on every plants, it depends a lot of the matrix I think.
I hope I answer your question ! Good luck in your work !
Best regards.
Pls use methanol to obtain your crude extract and partition it non polar solvent and continue to increase the polarity . It is safer and best because of thermal sensitive compounds.
Thank you for your answer... I am also thinking that I should change bit of the analytical procedures specially in case of aqueous extraction. @ Olajide Olutayo.
Absolutely morter and pestle not a good option. Solvents dissolved method is one of the best in case is temperature sensitive compound if you isolate since you can control the temperature parameter. soxhlet apparatus extraction is ok where temperature is not a issue.
i prefer solvent extraction method, 1:5vol X 4 times ( just an example) at required temperature by using water bath. More useful for both qualitative and qualitative
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