Optimization of Solvent Composition for Extraction of Multi‐Polarity Molecules

Abstract

Marine Natural Products (MNP) are currently extracted from a range of organisms that are complex matrices composed of significant organic and inorganic components. In order to optimize the extraction of the MNP, typically large organic molecules composed of polar and nonpolar structural subcomponents, namely a multi‐component solvent should be utilized. In this paper an algorithm is outlined that provides an optimal solvent mixture based on dipole moment and molecular volume calculations. In this model the MNP is divided up into subcomponents, with carbon fragments ranging in size from one to six carbons. The subcomponent is then matched by dipole moment and molecular volume to a common solvent (i.e., ethanol, methanol, etc.). This algorithm is experimentally demonstrated by increasing the quantity of bryostatin extracted from the bryozoa Bugula neritina and chlorophyll from Common Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon).

Keywords:

• Extract
• solvent
• natural product
• marine
• bryostatin

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Valdosta State University for their direct and indirect support of this work. Dr. Dennis Phillips of the University of Georgia mass spec lab (Chemistry department) is thanked for this excellent work. Jack Rudloe of the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab is acknowledged for donating the Bugula neritina used in this work. Dr. Lyn Noble (Sunderland University, UK), Giso Abadi (VSU), Rick Loftis (VSU), Flynt Goodsen (VSU), Jeremy Colyer (VSU), Emily Rhodes (VSU), and Ruth Borchelt (VSU) are thanked for assistance with editing and proofreading the paper. Some of this work was supported by a SBIR grant (from NOAA) to MIC Systems, Inc. of Valdosta, Georgia. FT‐ICR work conducted with Dr. Tu Lam and Prof. Alan Marshall of the NH FML (Tallahassee, FL, USA) provided data that was helpful in developing this model.