Lab Report Extracting Lipids from Ground Nutmeg

The experiment reports the extraction of lipids from crushed nutmeg. In this experiment, lipids from nutmeg were extracted using a combination of solvents and lipids were identified by chromatography. The purpose of using solvent combinations is to elute lipids based on polar bonds to silica gel. Chromatography was performed on silica gel plates and lipids were observed using iodine. By calculating the Rf values ​​of each compound and comparing them to the known lipids, we were able to discriminate lipids in the nutmeg of the nodule.

Reagents are chemicals used in our laboratory to identify different types of biomolecules. Recall that there are four types of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. In this experiment we perform two different carbohydrate tests, lipid test and protein test. Five unknown samples, each containing biomolecules, are obtained. It chemically reacts with each unknown sample to identify the biomolecules present and the cellular function of each sample.

Sample pretreatment is the most important part of most analytical lipid methods. When extracting lipids, care must be taken to prevent conversion from one lipid to another lipid. Hydrolysis should be precisely prevented as hydrolysis reduces triglycerides and increases free fatty acids. Extraction should minimize oxidation. (Greenfield & Southgate, Review of methods of analysis, 2003) is preferably extracted in chloroform, chloroform-methanol and hexane-isopropanol. It is preferable to refrigerate the sample at -20 ° C. (AAFCO Inspection Method / Service Committee, 2014) There are advantages and disadvantages to each of the various methods that can be used.

Mixtures of polar and nonpolar solvents have been shown to extract all lipids from most foods. However, care must be taken not to extract unnecessary parts. Lipids extracted by this method are suitable for further processing to determine fatty acid moieties without hydrolysis. (Greenfield & Southgate, Review of Analytical Methods, 2003) Alcohol can be used to remove fat from tissues. Water - butanol is used in cereals. Chloroform-methanol is the initial selection of animal tissue (Pomeranz & Meloan, 1994)