Fundamental points of a correct extraction: knowledge of the active ingredient to be extracted, choice of solvent, state of the drug (fresh or dried), extraction temperature, extraction time and extraction method. But ultimately, why is it extracted?
1) To carry out a control in terms of quality and quantity of an active ingredient contained in a given drug;
2) To obtain a preparation to be used in the formulation of herbal, cosmetic or dietetic products.The extraction system is exhaustive when you make the right combination of three important elements: drug preparation, extraction solvent and extraction method.
The main solvent extraction methods are:
Maceration: the drug is placed in a container together with the appropriate mixture of solvents; from this type of extraction a fluid extract is obtained, called macerate.
Digestion: method similar to maceration but carried out at temperatures between 35-65 ° C; also in this case a fluid extract is obtained.
Infusion: the solvent, boiling water, is poured on the ground drug (tea, chamomile). There are two types: an aromatic infusion characterized by an infusion time that varies from 5 to 10 minutes - where the aromatic properties of the drug are appreciated - and a therapeutic infusion, characterized by an infusion period of 30 minutes.
Decoction: the drug, together with the solvent, is heated for a period between 5 (aromatic extract) and 30 minutes (therapeutic extract).
Percolation: the solvent, by gravity or under pressure, passes through a layer, generally homogeneous, of pulverized drug (coffee mocha). With this method, an aqueous fluid extract is obtained, called leachate.
Counter-current extraction: it is an extraction method complementary to the mechanical one by pressing, used to extract fixed oils, waxes or butters from oil-based drugs. On one side of the extractive system the triturated drug is inserted and on the opposite side a little polar solvent in countercurrent; the drug is thus deprived of its lipophilic parts which pass to the solvent, generally a hexane. To obtain the pure extract it is necessary to remove the solvent.
Other articles on "Extraction Methods"
- Preparation of a drug for extraction
- Pharmacognosy
- Distillation