METHODS OF SEPERATION

Fresh leaves
Homogenize for 5 Min. in
MeOH H2O (4:1) (10 X vol.or Wt) filter

Residue

Filtrate

Extract with
EtOAc (x5), filter

Residue

Evaporate to 1/10 vol (< 40C)

Acidify to 2 M H2SO4
Extract with CHCl3 (x3)

Filtrate,

CHCl3 extract

Evaporate
Fabre (Mainly
Polysaccharide)

Aqu. Acid layer

Dry, evaporate

Neutral Extract

Moderately polar Extracts

(Fat, Waxes)

(Terpenoids and phenolics)

CHCl3-MeOH extract
Dry, evaporate

Basic extract
(Most Alkaloids)

Basify to pH 10
with
NaOH,
extract
with
CHCl3-MeOH
(3:1, twice) and
CHCl3

aqueous basic layer

Evaporate
extracts
with MeOH

MeOH extract is
polar extract (quaternary
Alkaloids and N-Oxides)

Fig. A general Procedure for extracting plant tissues and fractionating into different classes according to
polarity (Harborne, 1983).