Separation Science and Technology, Vol.41, No.15, 3349-3366, 2006
Optimization of solvent composition for extraction of multi-polarity molecules
Marine Natural Products (MNP) are currently extracted from a range of organisms that are complex matrices composed of significant organic and inorganic components. In order to optimize the extraction of the MNP, typically large organic molecules composed of polar and nonpolar structural subcomponents, namely a multi-component solvent should be utilized. In this paper an algorithm is outlined that provides an optimal solvent mixture based on dipole moment and molecular volume calculations. In this model the MNP is divided up into subcomponents, with carbon fragments ranging in size from one to six carbons. The subcomponent is then matched by dipole moment and molecular volume to a common solvent (i.e., ethanol, methanol, etc.). This algorithm is experimentally demonstrated by increasing the quantity of bryostatin extracted from the bryozoa Bugula neritina and chlorophyll from Common Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon).