We are doing a simple maceration extraction of Asparagus racemosus powder. Some papers I've read say they've used DMSO as a dissolving agent, or used for dilution, but I'm not sure of the reason why. We have limited funding so if we don't need it, I'd rather not buy it.
Hi Joseph. DMSO dissolves both polar and non-polar compounds in the extract. I think you are going to investigate a crude extract so DMSO is a good choice of solvent. However, other solvents could be used too, such as acidified methanol. I am currently using solid phase extraction to separate anthocyanins, phenolic compounds.
DMSO is good for initially getting a wide range of compounds into solution; I've used it for preparing samples form automated screening assays. I would dissolve the extract or compounds in DMSO, transfer the extract to daughter plates, then dilute with water. Many assays limit the concentration of DMSO before it interferes with the assay. Note that DMSO can be difficult to remove, if needed, due to its high boiling point.
Dear Joseph,
Tthe purpose of using DMSO in an extraction is as solvent of active compounds. It has high boiling point so it is difficult to separated out from the extracts. So you can use other solvents like Chloroform, acetone, diethyl ether, methanol. they have less boiling point and easy to separate out from the extracts. The DMSO mostly used for Chlorophyll extraction.
DMSO and DMF are rarely used in extraction of natural products since it has a high boiling point and may lead to the formation of artifacts during its removal. DMSO is also hygroscopic and therefore introduces water into the extract. However it is known to be a good solvent of most organic compounds and that is why it is used for dissolving NMR and bioassay samples. Instead of using DMSO to can use acetone which has similar solvent characteristics but has very low boiling point hence easy to remove
Todos estan en lo correcto, amplia capacidad de disolucion y relativamente inerte, util en ensayos biologicos.
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