For the "ISOLATION OF CHLOROPHYLL AND CAROTENOID PIGMENTS FROM SPINACH" we have to do a purification scheme and I was wondering what dissolves in hexane out of pigments, water, sugars,and starch.

I know that water doesn't, but the pigments does, but what about the other two?

The other two are water soluble and do not dissolve in haxane.

Thanks a lot!!!!

To determine what dissolves in hexane out of pigments, water, sugars, and starch in the isolation of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments from spinach, we can examine the solubility properties of each compound in hexane.

1. Pigments (Chlorophyll and Carotenoids):
Chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments are lipophilic compounds, meaning they are soluble in nonpolar solvents like hexane. Therefore, these pigments will dissolve in hexane during the purification process.

2. Water:
Water is a highly polar compound and does not dissolve in nonpolar solvents such as hexane. If there is any water present in the sample, it will remain separate from the hexane layer and can be easily removed.

3. Sugars:
Most sugars, such as glucose and sucrose, are highly soluble in water due to their hydrophilic nature. These sugars will not dissolve in hexane, which is a nonpolar solvent. If there are any sugars present in the sample, they will remain in the aqueous layer after extraction.

4. Starch:
Starch is a polysaccharide composed of glucose units linked together. Like sugars, starch is also hydrophilic and insoluble in hexane. Starch will stay in the aqueous layer during extraction.

Therefore, in the isolation of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments from spinach, pigments will dissolve in hexane, while water, sugars, and starch will not. The pigments can be selectively extracted into the hexane layer, allowing for their separation from other components of the spinach extract.