EXPERIMENT NO- 5

AIM: Demonstration of the Soxhlet method for determination of fat content.

PRINCIPLE:

The Soxhlet extraction method uses a small amount of solvent and is very cost-effective. The
Soxhlet extraction uses the solvent reflux and siphon principle to continuously extract the
solid matter by pure solvent, which saves the solvent extraction efficiency and high
efficiency. The sold sample is placed on a thimble-shaped filter paper, positioned into the
Soxhlet extractor, and the device is assembled. The solvent is added to the solvent reservoir
flask and mounted onto a heating mantle. After heating, the condensed vapors of the solvent
come in contact with the sample powder, and the soluble part of the powder gets mixed with
the solvent for extraction. When the solvent surface exceeds the maximum height of the
siphon, the solvent containing the extract is siphoned back. The flask is repeated, extracting a
portion of the material each time so that the solid material is constantly used as a pure solvent
and the extracted material is concentrated in the flask.
MATERIALS:

Round bottom flask, sample, Soxhlet apparatus (siphon, and condenser), petroleum ether and
thimble.

PROCEDURE:

1. Round Bottom flask was weighed and the empty weight was noted down.

2. Then 5g sample was taken in a thimble or could be made with the help of whatman filter
paper.

3. The thimble was placed into the Soxhlet tube (siphon) connected to the round bottom flask
and also the condenser.

4. When sufficient amount of solvent (Petroleum Ether) had been transferred to the extracting
tube to fill the siphon arm. It siphoned back over into the round bottom flask.

5. The process was continued using petroleum ether for extraction at 40-60% for 16-18 hours
until the extraction was completed.

6. Then the round bottom flask was removed and was kept in room temperature for cooling,
the excess volatile solvent distilled off and residual fat was dried at 80˚C in hot air oven for 1
hours.

7. Then the flask was cooled in desiccator and finally the fat was measured.

CALCULATIONS:

FAT % = [(W2 – W1)/W] X 100

Where,

W = Weight of the sample

W1 = Initial weight of round flask
W2 = Final weight of flask + Fat

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Handle the chemicals carefully.
2. Measure the sample accurately.
3. Note down readings carefully.