Which Solvent for Defat??

[fattycomrade1]

Hi all, just looking for some opinions on which solvent I should use for an Acacia phyllode defat step.

My steps to this point:
- Boiled phyllodes in approx 1:20 Vinegar:Water solution (5% Acetic acid) for 45 min [x3]
- Strained & filtered these fractions
- Combined fractions and reduced to ~1/3 of original volume

I am now looking at doing a defat step with NP solvent and I essentially have two solvents to choose between: [I should add this is essentially a test - I'm verifying if this is even an active strain of Acacia - I'm not ready to go buy a brand new container of Xylene to get no spice.]

Solvent 1:
- 30-40% Xylene
- 30% Light Naphtha
- To 100%: Acetone, Ethanol, Butoxyethanol

Solvent 2:
- 80% Light Naphtha
- 10% Dichloromethane
- 10% Tetrachloroethylene

I'm leaning away from No.1, due to the acetone, ethanol and butoxyethanol content which are soluble in water and will probably dissolve some of the spice (if any). Conversely, I've heard naphtha kind of sucks for defatting...
I know this is an odd question but any help is very much appreciated... Thanks all

 

[downwardsfromzero]

Solvent 2? You're right about solvent 1 and the water solubility issue. The chlorinated compounds in solvent 2 will greatly improve its defatting power but they may affect the density of the mixture making it very hard to separate from the aqueous phase.

You could try doing a few water washes on solvent 1 to remove the water-soluble components.

If you haven't got distillation glassware you may as well pay up for the xylene. Logically, if your specimen turns out to have no alkaloids you'll still want to be testing another one afterwards.