Comparison of supercritical fluid extraction and Soxhlet extraction for the determination of aliphatic hydrocarbons in seaweed samples.
Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and Soxhlet extraction methods were compared in a study of the aliphatic hydrocarbon profiles of seaweed samples. Method precision for Soxhlet extraction (< or = 7.58%) was slightly better than that for SFE (< or = 9.28%) except for C28. The SFE method is a good alternative for the routine determination of alkanes in seaweed samples; however, for a complete study of shorter-chain n-alkanes, the Soxhlet extraction is a more suitable method. To evaluate the SFE and Soxhlet methods developed, three diverse Undaria pinnatifida samples collected at different dates and areas of the Galician coast were analyzed. n-Alkanes C18, C20, C22, C24, and C28 were found in all samples, with values lower than 7.9 microg g(-1) d.w. The total hydrocarbon content was within the range of 13.6-21.7 microg g(-1) d.w. C18 was found to be the most abundant.
Punín Crespo
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Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Lage Yusty
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MA
D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D025924:Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012624:Seaweed / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical