Ether soluble fraction

Estimation of Ether Soluble Fractions (Fat and Water)

Principle

         A known quantity of soil sample is extracted with diethyl ether and the ether soluble fraction is determined by gravimetry.

Apparatus required

·         Porcelain dish

·         Soxhlet’s apparatus

Reagent required

·         Ether solvent

Procedure

v  Take  25 g of soil in a soxhlet’s apparatus.

v  Extract using diethyl either as solvent for 30 hrs.

v  After the expiry of time, determine the ether soluble fraction by gravimetric principle.

Calculation

Weight of soil sample taken

=

25 g

Initial weight of extraction flask

=

A g

Final weight of extraction flask with ether soluble fraction

=

B g

Weight of ether soluble fraction in the given soil sample

=

(B-A) g

The percentage of ether soluble fraction in the given soil sample

=

The percentage of ether soluble fraction in relation to organic matter content of the sample

=