EXTRACTION OF CAFFEINE FROM TEA LEAVES LAB REPORT

 Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in plants such as coffee, tea, and cocoa beans. It is a popular psychoactive drug due to its ability to increase alertness, improve cognitive function, and reduce feelings of fatigue. In this lab report, we will discuss the extraction of caffeine from tea leaves using a simple solvent extraction method.

EXTRACTION OF CAFFEINE FROM TEA LEAVES LAB REPORT

The first step in the extraction process is to prepare the tea leaves. This can be done by brewing a cup of tea using a standard tea bag or by crushing a small amount of dried tea leaves and adding them to hot water. Once the tea has brewed for a sufficient amount of time (usually 3-5 minutes), it can be poured through a filter to separate the liquid from the solid tea leaves.

The next step is to extract the caffeine from the tea leaves using a solvent. A common solvent used in caffeine extraction is ethyl acetate, which is a clear, sweet-smelling liquid with a low boiling point. To extract the caffeine, a small amount of ethyl acetate is added to the dried tea leaves, and the mixture is stirred to allow the solvent to dissolve the caffeine. The mixture is then filtered to separate the solvent and the caffeine from the tea leaves.

The solvent and caffeine mixture is then evaporated to remove the solvent, leaving behind a solid caffeine compound. The purity of the caffeine can be determined by weighing the solid compound and calculating the percentage of caffeine present based on the initial weight of the tea leaves.

There are a few factors that can affect the efficiency of caffeine extraction from tea leaves. One of these is the type of tea used. Black tea, for example, typically contains higher levels of caffeine than green tea. The brewing time and temperature of the tea can also affect the amount of caffeine extracted. Longer brewing times and higher temperatures can result in higher levels of caffeine extraction.

In conclusion, caffeine can be easily extracted from tea leaves using a simple solvent extraction method. The efficiency of the extraction process can be affected by a variety of factors, including the type of tea used and the brewing time and temperature. Understanding these factors can help to optimize the extraction process and yield a purer caffeine compound.