What Are Extraction Systems Used for?

Extraction systems are used to measure the fat content of foodstuffs or other materials. Although extractions can be performed manually, using extraction systems can reduce the exposure to heat and toxic solvents like ethyl or petroleum ether.

Soxhlet Extraction Systems

The method was developed in 1879 by Franz von Soxhlet to extract lipids from solid materials. Typically, Soxhlet extractions are especially useful when the compound and the impurity have different solubilities in the solvent. The extractor can run by itself and efficiently uses only a small amount of recycled solvent to dissolve a large amount of material.

A Soxhlet extractor consists of a percolator that circulates the solvent, a thick filter paper thimble that retains the solids, and a siphon to periodically empty the thimble.

Goldfisch Extraction Systems

This method is recognized by AOAC International (agricultural chemists) as an acceptable procedure for measuring fat and oil content. Extraction times can be reduced from 16 to approximately four hours with this reflux method.