Total Extraction

[Jana P]

Hi all

Does anyone have any tips on ensuring that all my solvent is extracted from a sample that i can't fully dissolve into my diluent?

Thank you

[chromatographer1]

In GENERAL: I don't believe you can ensure complete extraction without complete dissolution.

How do you know a box is empty unless you can see inside it?

So all you can do is to PROVE it to be so with research if certain conditions are met. That takes time and manpower.

Each situation is different and may require a different solution.

Time best spent is to find a solvent which can dissolve your sample.

Getting consistent results only means a possible partial extraction can be achieved reproducibly. It is not scientific proof, IMHO.

best wishes,

Rodney George
consultant

[Don_Hilton]

A bit more information would be helpful.

Is the solvent you want to etract from the sample a retained solvent in another material or is this a solvent you have added in sample prep?

When you say "all my solvent is extracted" how much all are we talking about - 99% recovery or are we talking about reducing a solvent level low enough that it does not interfere with some other step in preparation or analysis of the sample?

If you can tell us a bit more about what the sample is, what is going on with the solvent, and what you are trying to determine, perhaps we can give you some ideas.