Lab J: Isolation of Bixin from Annatto Extract using Column chromatography

purpose

do solutions need to be dissolved?

how do you know what color is what item?

use a column of silica gel to separate and purify bixin

yes

methyl bixin is yellow, bixin is orange/red, norbixin is red

what hazard is silica gel?

what hazard is DCM?

inhalation hazard

carcinogenic

procedure

double glove

make silica gel flurry and add 3% EtOH in DCM

put 10% EtOH in DCM in dried annatto extract from Lab I

pipette solvent into column

drain until it is just on top of the gel

collect colored tubes

spot good tubes on TLC plates and develop in 3% EtOH

mix good ones (with no yellow methyl bixin trail)

last TLC plate to see purity

rotavap

waste

all sample tubes put in CHO halogenated and acetone rinsings