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j_sum1
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Quote: Originally posted by PirateDocBrown  | As someone who's done a LOT of extractions, I recommend learning the difference between:
Tinctures
Concretes
Absolutes
Attars
and Essential Oils.
The right route, using the right solvent, is what will often determine if you get what you want. |
Because it might be useful in the context of this thread, would you care to give a brief one line definition of these and maybe an explanation of why
it is important? (I have not heard of "concrete" used in this context before.)
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PirateDocBrown
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Very well.
Tincture = an extraction done at or near ambient temperature, usually using a solution of at least 25% ethanol, though Tinctures are sometimes made
with acetic acid, ethyl ether, ethyl acetate, glycerin, or even propylene glycol.
People who make their own vanilla extract by putting a vanilla bean in some vodka are making a Tincture.
Tinctures of medicinal plants would be recombined with the ashes of the same plant to produce "Spagyrics" in alchemical medicine. Likely the alkaline
materials in the ashes would make soaps from oils in the tinctures to effect the change.
Essential Oil = most essential oils are extracted by means of steam distillation, although for certain materials, it's possible to simply use high
pressure to express the oil.
Attar = A specific type of EO. Some materials yield an EO that's a gummy resin, tar, or solid, not a liquid. These are called Attars. Rose "oil" is
likely the most famous of these. Attar can be spelled several ways, at it's a transliteration from the Sanskrit. Ittar, Otto, etc., are all used.
Fragrance Oil = A diluted scent composed of the odor-carrying extract mixed with a carrier oil. This is sometimes done for economy (i.e. to cut the
product for more profit), but can also be done to make an Attar more usable or salable.
Concretes = These would be produced like Tinctures, but would always use a non-polar solvent, most commonly hexane, but benzene, toluene, or petroleum
ether could also be used. This could also be done at reflux temperature, and in the modern lab could be facilitated by a Soxhlet or other extractor.
After evaporation, these are often waxy or resinous.
Absolutes = Once possessing a Concrete, an Absolute can be prepared. A further extraction of the Concrete, using a polar solvent, usually ethanol or
sometimes ethyl acetate. The Concrete residue still often contains a pleasant scent in its own right and is usually used in soap formulations. The
Concrete/Absolute method is used for materials that are too inert to be removed by steam distillation, or those who would be destroyed by the higher
heat of the steam. Absolutes can simply be Tinctures of Concretes, or they can be carried out at reflux. Absolutes are usually very concentrated, and
only tiny amounts are used in perfumery.
Pomades = Absolutes can also be obtained by means of a Pomade. Here, fats or oils are used instead of a Concrete extraction, in a mechanical mixing
process with the source material. The Absolute is then removed as a Tincture as before. Spent fat still retains some scent, and is then used in soap.
This is a traditional method, but still used in some circumstances.
In modern times, some extractions are done using supercritical CO2.
[Edited on 3/21/17 by PirateDocBrown]
[Edited on 3/21/17 by PirateDocBrown]
[Edited on 3/21/17 by PirateDocBrown]
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j_sum1
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And there is post worthy of bookmarking. Thanks PDB,
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PirateDocBrown
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Glad to help!
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PirateDocBrown
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I guess I should also point out the source of "waters" in fragrance production.
In the use of steam distillation, the condensate has the oil in it, but naturally, most of the condensate is the condensed steam. It nevertheless
picks up some fragrance, and can be used. This is the source of rosewater, lilac water, lavender water, and so forth. These are often used directly as
toiletries.
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tsathoggua1
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Rosewater makes a great addition to a cup of tea. Lady grey works really well, with a handful of chopped fresh lemon balm (Melissa officianalis, both
for taste, and the GABA-transaminase inhibitor compounds that help smooth out the caffeine and file off its rough edges, so to speak) used to make an
infusion, and that used to make the tea, with a tablespoonful of rosewater added as well, some honey to sweeten. The balm is best young and tender,
and in flower is the best period, so the nectar is extracted into the tea with the rest of the goodness to be had from the plant. Goes down a real
treat.
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yobbo II
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Definitely!
I have often wondered about taxine. It is contained in Yew trees. A ferocious poison.
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tsathoggua1
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I read something interesting about taxine/taxol once.
Apparently the product was originally produced by the trees alone, but an endophytic fungus took up the genetic pathways for biosynthesis and
amplified them, at least in some species of Yew, not sure if it applies to them all. The fungal symbiote then increased production.
Taxus alkaloids aren't just poisons though, some have value in treating certain cancers, particularly oestrogen-dependent tumours, since this family
of compounds is known to possess members with aromatase inhibitor activity. (source-'The Genus Claviceps' by Kren and Kvac)
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yobbo II
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A small nibble of the leaves/needles to a horse or a sheep is certain death I am told. Hens heating small amounts of shavings have been known to 'heal
up'.
They were planted in graveyards to stop the locals from putting an animal in to graze (allegedly).
The wood was used to make bows (bow and arrow) back in the day though that in stuff for a physics forum!
It is difficult to get information on taxine.
[Edited on 25-3-2017 by yobbo II]
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symboom
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I thought this was interesting nit much is even known about many plants many plants reseachers have only begin to understand what compounds they
contain
One would be surprised what the chinese herbs that are used
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_herbology#50_fundame...
Some are actually illegal in the U.S.
Sinicuichi
Heimia salicifolia is reported to be an auditory hallucinogen, but the effects of H. salicifolia are not well known.
Plant based
DRI
Scutellaria baicalensis (or Baikal skullcap)
Chaenomeles speciosa (commonly known as flowering quince, Chinese quince or as zhou pi mugua)
Simular compounds
Ephedra
Sida cordifolia
Kratom
Mitragyna Javanica
Mitragyna Hirsuta
Kanna
Rhodiola Rosea
Yohimbe
Akuamma
[Edited on 21-1-2018 by symboom]
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WangleSpong5000
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There are just so many amazing an awesome things that are produced inside the myriad special life forms that build shit with light.
Cool stuff... too cool for school a lot of it. Trying to attain some of them is akin to that whole 'garden of Eden, Apple..' Shiz. Eat the forbidden
fruit and Dad will fucking lose it etc.
Lol
Hyperbole be thy name
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