SINGLE EXTRACTION OF CAFFEINE FROM TEA LEAVES
Cabantog, Rcahel Joy R., Cadacio, Alyzza C., Castellano, Michael Justin C. Catipay, Marielle Anne B., Chin, Jan Jason C. Group 3, 2D Medical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas
ABSTRACT
Extraction is defined as separation technique based on differences in solubility of substances in two immiscible solvents (usually water and a water insoluble organic solvent). The theory of extraction lies in the concept of immiscibility between two phases to separate a solute from the other phase, which is to be showcased by this study, being one objective. The others are to extract caffeine from tea leaves and compare single from multiple extraction. In this experiment, caffeine was extracted from tea leaves by using the single extraction procedure. A 10 g tea bag was boiled in a solution of anhydrous sodium carbonate and distilled water (4.4g and 100 ml respectively), then was placed in a separatory funnel with 60 ml of dichloromethane. The extract was transferred into an Erlenmeyer flask containing half spatula of anhydrous sodium sulphate then transferred into a tared evaporating dish afterwards evaporated to dryness. The extract was then weighed and found to be 0.0925 g. The percentage yield was computed by dividing the weight of the caffeine crystals (residue in evaporating dish) by the weight of the tea leaves used then multiplied by 100. The percentage yield was 0.925%. This percentage yield is necessary to show the amount of caffeine present in the tea sample and to compare with those obtained from multiple extraction. in terms of their efficiency.
INTRODUCTION
Extraction is defined as a separation method in which a solvent removes one or more soluble components from a mixture of solids, liquids, or both. The theory of extraction lies in the concept of immiscibility between two phases to separate a solute from the other phase. There are two main types of extraction in chemistry, namely SolidLiquid Extraction and Liquid-Liquid Extraction (its subdivided into two categories: simple and multiple). The latter, in practice, has an analyte with a favourable solubility towards an organic solvent. This results in the transfer of said analyte to the organic phase from the aqueous phase when the two immiscible liquids come in contact. Thus, the remaining steps are simply confined to decantation, mechanical separation, and evaporation (of organic phase). Among the materials to be utilized in this experiment, tea is central, being the source of the component to be extracted: caffeine. This secondmost popular drink in the world comes in a variety of forms-green, black, oolong- but is scientifically noted for its high content of polyphenols. This substance combats free-radicals and prevents cancer and other body ailments. With the tea leaves tough cellulose insoluble in water, boiling has been an easy separating method to get at the chemicals in store (e.g. caffeine, tannin, ascorbic acid, etc.). To isolate one of these components is a different matter, however. Pure caffeine is a white, tasteless substance that makes up as much as 5% of the weight of tea leaves. By structure, caffeine is closely related to the purine bases, guanine and adenine, found in deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA). Its solubility in organic compounds is the reason for the inclusion of dichloromethane to act as the second of the two immiscible liquids.
To disallow tannin from contaminating the organic compound solution, some procedures recommend bases such as calcium carbonate to be added to the aqueous solution beforehand, neutralizing and turning tannin into salts insoluble in dichloromethane. Objectives of the study, as hinted and inferred previously, would be the extraction of caffeine from tea leaves, computation of percentage of caffeine in the tea leaves, comprehension of extraction process, and comparison of efficiency between single and multiple extraction procedures. Scope would be limited to a single experiment involving extraction of caffeine from tea leaves using common lab apparatus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fig. 1 Overview of Methodology
The experiment required a Bunsen burner, separatory funnel, Erlenmeyer flask, glass rod, evaporating dish, iron stand, iron ring, iron clamp, unflavoured tea bags, sodium carbonate, dichloromethane and sodium sulfate. Single extraction was assigned to the group.
When the two layers were already evident, the lower layer or the organic layer was drained into the Erlenmeyer flask containing the prepared anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solution (sodium sulfate + DCM + caffeine) was decanted onto a pre-weighed evaporating dish. It was evaporated to dryness under the fume hood until the residue is completely in powder form and once again the evaporating dish together with the residue is weighed using the triple beam. Results were gathered and percentage yield was calculated.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Single Extraction was assigned to the group. Single and Multiple extraction is almost the same except that in multiple extraction, there is repeated extraction process. It is usually more efficient than single extraction because it allows more of the caffeine in the mixture to be extracted. Notice in figure 3 that there are two layers the upper and the lower layer. The upper layer in the experiment, the less dense is the aqueous layer while the one in the lower layer, the denser, is called the organic layer. The organic layer constitutes of the dichloromethane and the caffeine extracted.
Fig. 2 Extraction Setup The first step in the experiment was to weigh 4.4 grams of sodium carbonate in a small Erlenmeyer flask which was dissolved in a preheated 100ml of distilled water. Simultaneously, 10.00 g of the tea leaves contained in a tea bag was weighed in the triple beam balance and was immersed to the said mixture. The flask was covered and was boiled for 10 minutes on a low flame. After 10 minutes of boiling, the tea bags were removed and were squeezed by pressing it against the side of the flask using the glass rod so that all liquid will be drained from the tea bags. Be careful so as to not destroy the bag containing the tea leaves or else might prolong the experiment since it will require doing another purification technique which is filtration. Before the mixture was transferred in the separatory funnel, it was cooled down for about 3 minutes. After cooling, the mixture was transferred in the separatory funnel containing 60mL of dichloromethane. The separatory funnel was turned upside down and the stopcock was opened so to release the pressure inside. To mix, the solution was swirled and was turned upside down to release again the pressure inside. This procedure was repeated for two minutes. After mixing, the separatory funnel was placed in a steady position until the separation of the two layers is clearly visible. While waiting for the mixture to settle down, using the triple beam balance, the evaporating dish was weighed and half spatula of anhydrous sodium sulfate was prepared and was put in the Erlenmeyer flask.
Fig.3 Extraction Set-Up Caffeine can be extracted from tea leaves by boiling them in water yet, although caffeine is soluble with water, the caffeine will remain in the solution together with other compounds in particular, the tannins which can be eliminated by converting it to their salts (phenol anions) by adding sodium carbonate The purpose of the anhydrous sodium sulfate on the other hand serves as a drying agent that will remove any water that may be present before starting to evaporate the solvent off.
Data gathered: A. Weight of Tea Leaves B. Weight of Evaporating Dish and Extract C. Weight of Evaporating Dish *D. Weight of Extract *E. Percentage Yield 10g 112.4760g 112.3835g 0.0925g 0.925%
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24382592/Extraction -of-Caffeine-From-Tea-Leaves http://www.scribd.com/doc/26317714/Determina tion-of-Caffeine-in-Tea-Samples
Fig.4 Table of Data Obtained *D. Weight of Extract = 112.4760 - 112.3835 = 0.0925g *E. Percentage Yield = 0.0925g/10g x 100 = 0.925 % The experimented ended with the drying of the extract. After weighing the filled evaporating dish (112.4760 g) and then subtracting that amount to the weight of the evaporating dish alone (112.3835 g), it was found that the caffeine crystals were 0.0925 g in all. With that weight divided by the amount of tea leaves (10 g) and then multiplied by 100, a percentage yield of 0.925 % was computed.
REFERENCES
From Books: Bayquen, A.V., Cruz, C.T., et al (2009). Laboratory Manual in Organic Chemistry. Quezon City: C&E Publishing Inc From internet: http://www2.intota.com/experts.asp?strSearchTy pe=all&strQuery=chemical+extraction http://www2.sci.uszeged.hu/inorg/Sample%20prep%20for%20org anics.pdf http://chemistry.csudh.edu/faculty/noel/CHE317 L/Extraction%20Experiment.htm http://www.orgchem.colorado.edu http://www.pharmainfo.net/reviews/extractioncaffeine-tea-leaves http://firstyear.chem.usyd.edu.au/prelab/e28.sht ml http://itech.pjc.edu/tgrow/2210L/chm2210LCafe xt.pdf http://www.orgchem.colorado.edu http://www.pharmainfo.net/reviews/extractioncaffeine-tea-leaves
