Does Sovent get used up in Cactus Extractions?

[DRFGTO]

Hi, this is my first post but I've read quite alot here and around the net.
I can't seem to find anything that solves my question though..

I'm basically just wondering if solvents such as xylene or toluene get 'used up' to a certain extent in a/b extractions?

For the extraction so far I have chopped up and decore'd about 3m maybe 3.5m of san pedro and another variety with larger spines. This was thrown through a waste disposal and boiled in a large pot to break down the slimy liquid. After this, the liquid was strained and the boiled down further while the solid matter was put through the waste disposal again with new water. This was strained and the liquid added to the boiling liquid. This process was done once more.

Once the liquid/slime was boiled down I poured it into a 5L container, however, I reduced it too far which only filled the container up half way. Anyway I continued by adding a bit over a liter of toluene, and some xylene I had leftover from past extractions. I then added between 500-750gs of Sodium Hydroxide with water to the 5L container filling it up to the top. After shaking it and leaving it to sit over night basically none of the solvent seperated back out.

Today I went and bought a larger 10L container and poured the thick liquid into it. I then added boiling water so that liquid wouldn't be as thick. I was also hoping the solvent would seperate, however only a 4mm layer is visible. The container is whitish so its quite hard to see into it properly, but it doesn't seem like there is any emulsions. I've had massive problems with this in past extractions.

Basically the solvent I've added just isn't at the top. I doubt it evaporated as I've had a lid on it most the time. It is possible it is suspended in the cactus gunk but it is quite watery, warm and basic atm. The last option I was considering is if the solvent broke down or was used up since the liquid had a fair bit of oils in it?

Should I just add more solvent?
Or more hot water and Sodium Hydroxide?

Thanks!!

[Frequency]

Originally Posted by DRFGTO

Should I just add more solvent?
Or more hot water and Sodium Hydroxide?

Thanks!!

Add a gram or two of NaOH into some water and add it to your mixture. Then put it on a heat bath to help break the emulsion and free your trapped solvent.

[Ferretious]

I'd change your technique and dry your cactis first.
Add your NaHO to the water first, dissolve, and then add the dried ground cactis. IMHO you wont have as much of an emulsion problem.
I use a food dessicater to dry the cactis.
Hope this helps