From: mlyons@gandalf.rutgers.edu (Mark Lyons)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: xrtaction of essential oils
Keywords: Herbs,oils,seperation,chromatography,fun
Date: 18 Aug 92 21:15:30 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.



Hi, Kristen 
I read your post a couple of weeks ago about how to separate compounds
from herbs but wasn't able to find time to mail you until now. I
am studying molecular biology at Rutgers, and I have grown my first
garden this year. It was wonderful. I grew up in apartments all my 
life and never had a plot of land to experience the awe of gardening
until now. I'm sure I'll do this every year for the rest of my life.
I really, really, enjoy it beyond words. My interest in gardening also
sweetened an interest in botanical pharmecopea. I've been thinking as you
have: how do I extract useful substances from from a mixture of thousands
of compounds- SAFELY and PURE without the presence of trace amounts of
toxic chemicals used in the process. I've been thinking about the 
unique qualities that separate one compound from another; Boiling point,
freezing temp., spectra, viscosity, etc.... How do I identify Unknown,
sometimes colorless and even odorless compounds. And how can I be sure of
what I have and its purity after the extraction. These are really tough 
questions, and I think every compound requires different approach. I don't
have all the answers, I have only begun to stumble around with
different ideas on how to tackle them. Im thinking of trying a few things
so tell me what you think and maybe we can come up with some great ideas
together. It's really fun to talk to someone who has the same interest in
herbology.

Here's what I'm thinking...
Weight of a compound seems to be *almost* unique
Polarity of a molecule (in other words.. is it oil or water) is
    really useful for separation since polar(watery) and non-polar(oily)
    don't mix
different boiling/condensing temperatures for two different substances is a real
    *easy* way of separating two different things if you condense the steam`
    into a different container (this isn't too pure though)
different freezing temperatures are also useful in the same way. (this is very
    pure and less damaging to the desired compound.)
centrifugeing a 'liquified and la-machined' plant might be a good way to start
    out separating groups of compounds with different weights. I'm in the
    process of trying to build a home-made centrifuge out of a washing
    machine motor. Balancing is a REAL problem. This is going to take some
    time on my part. I think this might be a good way to start out.
What about two compounds which are clear and have no odor? That's a tough
    one. Well there's difference in weight, and what about spectra? Spectra
    sounds like it may be tough but I think I can build a really simple
    device out of three household parts to do this. A prism, a protractor 
    (the 60 cent plastic ones you get in the store for geometry class), and
    a box with a lighbulb in it. (sunlight is better though, although VERY
    tough to use when it keeps changing position.) You can use a photography
    light-meter to measure the brightness of colors absorbed or reflected
    when passing through the sample and then through the prism glued on top
    of protractor. Just move the protractor in equal steps of five degrees
    to cycle through all the colors. Like this:


  ___                               ___              ||
 /   \            | |               \ /              ||
 |   |            | |               |V|              ||
 |   |  --->      | |  --->         |||    --->      ||  ----> photography
 \___/            | |               |||              ||        light meter
  ===             | |               \|/              ||
  ===             \_/                V               ||

light source    unknown          prism rotatable    cardboard 
(Sun or bulb)   sample           on mounted         slit 
                (test-tube)      protractor           


These are just some of the ideas I'm playing around with. Tell
me all about yourself Kristin, How did you get into this? What ideas
do you have.
I'm 23 and I live with 4 other students in a shared house at Rutgers
off campus, in New Brunswick NJ. Unfortunately I'm the only gardener :-(
I've already finished two undergrad degrees but I absolutely fell into
a fanatical obsession/love with biology and *especially* genetics in my
senior undergraduate year. I have many many interests and like to talk to
people with similar likings. Let's Chat!
-Mark
(mlyons@remus.rutgers.edu)