Tea bags contain herbal medicines specifically the leaves. These leaves contain caffeine. After doing an experiment on the extraction of caffeine using chloroform, the result showed 0% recovery of caffeine. What could be the possible reason for this? We followed the right procedures and were very meticulous in doing the experiment. The tea bags used were Tsaang Gubat Tea. Does this mean that Tsaang Gubat doesn't contain caffeine?
Please I need your answers and explanations. Thanks!
2006-11-25 14:08:24 · 3 answers · asked by zira 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
I don't know anything about Tsaang Gubat Tea but I know a little about experimentation. Have you tried to repeat the experiment using a tea that you are certain has caffeine? This will tell you if perhaps your chemicals are outdated or something. I suppose it is possible to find a tea with an immeasurable amount of caffeine although it's unlikely unless it has been unnaturally altered to remove the caffeine.
2006-11-25 14:17:53 · answer #1 · answered by The Quiet Cool 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try repeating the experiment with Lipton or Tetley tea bags. They all have caffeine and if they test positive then your answer will be that obviously the Tsaang Guban does not. If the Lipton and Tetley do not show a caffeine content then your experiment protocol is incorrect.
2006-11-29 13:46:36 · answer #2 · answered by Donald W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try using ethanol.
your solvent might be the problem.
you do realize, that in halogenated solvents, will usually settle on the bottom while the water soluable caffeine floats on top?
2006-11-25 19:40:40 · answer #3 · answered by jj 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋