Extracted compounds, intensifying

This technique is used mainly for nonpolar compounds. Typically a small aliquot of soil (10-30 g) is dried by mixing with sodium sulfate prior to extraction. Next, the sample is extracted with a solvent for 10-20 min using a sonicator probe. The choice of solvent depends on the polarity of the parent compound. The ultrasonic power supply converts a 50/60-Hz voltage to high-frequency 20-kHz electric energy that is ultimately converted into mechanical vibrations. The vibrations are intensified by a sonic horn (probe) and thereby disrupt the soil matrix. The residues are released from soil and dissolved in the solvent. 

Hot water is attracting attention as an extraction solvent in the recovery of compounds from plant material as the search for milder and greener" solvents intensifies. The use of hot water as an extraction solvent for milk thistle at temperatures above 100°C was explored. The maximum extraction yield of each of the silymarin compounds and taxifolin did not increase with temperature, most likely because significant compound degradation occurred. However, the time required for the yields of the compounds to reach their maxima was reduced from 200 to 55 min when the extraction temperature was increased from 100 to 140°C. Severe degradation of unprotected (plant matrix not present) silymarin compounds was observed and first-order degradation kinetics were obtained at 140°C. 

The parent compounds and the metabolites have very low aqueous, solubility. They have proven difficult to extract from some matrices the current method for ivermectin involves some 41 concentration and clean-up steps preceding HPLC (8). A Merck method for recovering abamectin residues from strawberries and formation of fluorescent derivatives for HPLC analysis has 18 separate steps (9). A recently published two-step solid-phase recovery procedure for ivermectin from serum indicates that it is possible to combine an abbreviated concentration and cleanup method with a sensitive and specific detection system in this case, liquid chromatography (10). An immunoassay for avermectins that could be interfaced with simplified residue recovery protocols is a promising solution to the intensifying demands on regulatory agencies to monitor these compounds. 

Owing to growing demand of herbals, the need of the hour is to intensify research in the field of medicinal herbs and to get authentical information on the subject. Herbal products are often questioned for quality control and assurance. Majority of the herbal products fails in the laboratory test for active constituents mentioned on the label. Extracts standardised to active constituents and marker compounds have definite advantage over the crude dmgs. 

Intensifying Flavor with Extracted or Volatilized Compounds... 

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