Purpose of Cinnamon
Solvent Extraction Purpose: Cinnamaldehyde is the active ingredient found in cinnamon. Using a method of solvent extraction it is possible to isolate the cinnamaldehyde from its natural product source cinnamon sticks, (tree bark). Procedure: 1. Add 300 mL of water to a 400 mL beaker. Place an immersion heater in the water, plug it in, and allow the water to come to a boil. 2. Break a cinnamon stick into small pieces, approximately 15 by 3 mm. Break the pieces into slivers to maximize the surface area. Do not powder the cinnamon pieces. Place the pieces into a reaction vial. Add 5 mL of distilled water to the vial and seal the vial with a Teflon-cap.