I Extraction of Trimyristin from Nutmeg powder Structure H C OO HC O O H C 07 Trimyristin m p 56 57 C Figure 1 Structure of trimyristin Introduction Trymyristin is a triglyceride that is found naturally in nutmeg In ground nutmeg approximately 40 of the weight is essential oil containing trimyristin The purpose of this first laboratory is to extract trimyristin from powdered nutmeg using Solid Liquid Extraction and then to purify the sample by recrystallization from ethanol Procedure Figure 2 IR spectrum of pure trimyristin Solid Liquid Extraction of Nutmeg with Ethyl Acetate and purification by recrystallization Add 5g of nutmeg powder 50 mL of ethyl acetate and stirring bar into a 150 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask Stir at room temperature for 35 40 minutes Gravity filter see page 23 the ethyl acetate solution into a pre weighed clean and dry 100 mL round bottom flask rinse the solid on the filter paper with an additional 5 10 mL of ethyl acetate to increase the yield Evaporate the ethyl acetate solvent via the rotary evaporator to obtain crude yellowish waxy crystals of trimyristin see page 24 If you do not obtain a solid cool the flask in an ice bath Recrystallization of Crude Trimyristin From Ethanol Recrystallization of the crude trimyristin will provide a more purified form The crude trimyristin is insoluble in cold ethanol but readily dissolves in hot ethanol For this reason ethanol will be the solvent used for recrystallizing the trimyristin sample Set up a hot water bath on a hot plate in fume hood Add 5 mL of ethanol as little solvent as possible to the round bottom flask containing the crude trimyristin and begin warming the mixture in the hot water bath Continue to heat and swirl the flask until all the solid trimyristin has dissolved If a large amount of