High temp reflux apparatus for extractions.

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

I have received a few questions about soxhlet extractors as described in some of

the available publications on spagyrics.

 

A few words of caution;

 

The standard model operates at high temp ie the boiling point of the extraction

liquid. What this means is that you would use it on herbs that you would

normally decoct. I have designed amodel that works at low temp without a vacuum

but it is so expensive to make as to be inpractical.

 

So until we figure out something better, I suggest that it not be used with

thermosensitive herbs ie any hern that is only to be soaked in menstruum.

 

I noticed on the shelves of the local oriental market some berberine chloride

made in the PRC. This reminded me of Goldenseal. and other berberine/hydrastine

plants. In the old days, berberine was precipitated using HCl.

 

Some alkaloids, including those in Goldenseal, can be poorly soluble in alcohol,

insoluble in water and somewhat soluble in glycerine.

 

Gilbert