Draw a well labelled diagram of ‘Soxhlet apparatus.’ Mention the various limitations of continuous hot percolation process.
Limitation:
1. Physical character of the drug: If the drug would block the soxhlet apparatus then this process cannot be used for extraction. Eg opium. Gum, resin, orange peel, etc.
2. Solvent: Only pure solvents or constant boiling mixtures can be used.
3. Chemical constituents of the drug: The process is unsuitable for drugs having thermolabile active constituents such as enzymes, alkaloids, anthraquinone derivatives, esters, etc.