Similarities Between Maceration and Percolation

• Maceration and percolation are two types of extraction methods used to take out
desired components from a mixture.
• They extract substances into a liquid medium.
• They have various applications. Both methods are used in the production of
tinctures.
• Both are involved in the extraction of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Difference Between Maceration and Percolation

Definition
Maceration refers to the process of becoming softened by soaking in a liquid while
percolation refers to the process of a liquid slowly passing through a filter.

Purpose
The main purpose of maceration is to obtain softer substances in a liquid medium while the
main purpose of percolation is to extract particular substances into a liquid.

Result
The maceration results in a liquid with waste and has to be purified further while the
percolation results in a liquid that only contains desired substances dissolved in it; hence, no
further purification is required.

Time Taken
Maceration takes a long time while percolation takes comparatively very little time to
complete the process.

Equipment
Maceration does not require specific equipment for the procedure while percolation requires
equipment such as a filter.

Conclusion
Maceration is a soaking method by which the substances are softened and extracted into a
liquid while percolation is a brewing method in which the liquid runs through a filter with the
dried and grounded compound. Maceration takes a long time than percolation. The main
difference between maceration and percolation is the method of extracting substances