What are the different methods to remove solvent from plant extracts during phytochemical studies?
I think the best method, is to use the rotavapor. For instance, if you have a plant extract obtained by extraction with methanol, you can remove the methanol, by evaporating the methanolunder vaccum in the rotavapor. To eliminate all the residues of methanol, just before your extract is dry, add some water, and then continue to run the extract in the rotavapor. Finally, you can freeze-dry your extract, or re-dissolve it in another solvent (e.g. water, ethanol,...), forfurther use.
I think the best method, is to use the rotavapor. For instance, if you have a plant extract obtained by extraction with methanol, you can remove the methanol, by evaporating the methanolunder vaccum in the rotavapor. To eliminate all the residues of methanol, just before your extract is dry, add some water, and then continue to run the extract in the rotavapor. Finally, you can freeze-dry your extract, or re-dissolve it in another solvent (e.g. water, ethanol,...), forfurther use.
As Mr Cameira said, using a rotavaporator is the best way, as it is very fast. You can also use a high vacuum chamber, but it's slower, however with that you can leave your extracts unattended for long periods of time while you do other tasks.
Dear Paulo Cameira dos Santos, ُit sounds to be a prevalent method to remove solvents, but wouldn't be detrimental to temperature-sensitive compounds?
Good night Mr. Ehsan Ranjbaran. You must not heat your sample in the rotavapor more than 37 or 40ºC, if you have temperature-sensitive compounds. As the rotavapor allows high vaccum, you can evaporate at a relatively high rate even at 35ºC.
I agree with all the answers, except that we have to know what solvent we are to remove. Some water extract is better removed by freeze drying rather than rotavapor.
Use the above mentioned methods, but for normal storage at room temperature, you can use a vacuum desiccator.
Dear Vinesh
Pl. view the following publications for any help.
Good luck.
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