Dr. Muhammad Qasim Hayat Course: Medicinal Plants Technique: Soxhlet Extraction and Rotary Evaporator Dr. Muhammad Qasim Hayat
Soxhlet Extractor A piece of laboratory apparatus invented in 1879 by Franz von Soxhlet. Originally designed for the extraction of a lipid from a solid material. However, a Soxhlet extractor is not limited to the extraction of lipids. Typically, a Soxhlet extraction is only required where the desired compound has a limited solubility in a solvent, and the impurity is insoluble in that solvent.
Parts of Soxhlet extractor Stirrer bar Still pot Distillation path Thimble Solid Siphon top Siphon exit Expansion adapter Condenser Cooling water in Cooling water out
THE SOXHLET EXTRACTOR Continuous extraction of a component from a solid mixture. Boiling solvent vapors rise up through the larger side-arm
Condensed drops of solvent fall into the porous cup, dissolving out the desired component from a solid mixture
When the smaller side-arm fills to overflowing, it initiates a siphoning action.
Residual solvent then drains out of the porous cup, as fresh solvent drops continue to fall into the porous cup.
. . . and the cycle repeats . . .
It should look something like THIS:
The solvent, containing the dissolved component, is siphoned into the boiler below
ROTARY EVAPORATOR