An undergrad experiment for the at-home study of fluorescence: Extraction of quinine and chlorophyll from Cinchona tree bark

Fabio Granados-Chinchilla; Luis Felipe Campos-Arguedas

doi:10.51724/ijpce.v15i1.146

Authors

Fabio Granados-Chinchilla Unaffiliated Independent Researcher https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4828-3727
Luis Felipe Campos-Arguedas Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal, Universidad de Costa Rica

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51724/ijpce.v15i1.146

Keywords:

chlorophyll, fluorescence, liquid-liquid and solid-liquid extraction, quinine, reflux

Abstract

Herein we describe a method for the effective extraction and qualitative detection of quinine and chlorophyll. Both compounds can be successfully extracted from Cinchona tree bark (Cinchona pubescens Vahl) using nothing but household materials, usually cheap and easily acquired items available in any hardware store. During solid-liquid extraction with reflux, using an organic solvent is used to retain both compounds. Afterward, the compounds are partitioned between water and paint solvent. The organic phase containing the chlorophyll is saved, and the aqueous layer is acidified. Finally, an ultraviolet (UV) light is used to provoke fluorescence in both compounds.

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