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Stas-Otto Method

Definition

Sequential acid-alkaline solvent partitioning that isolates organic poisons from biological matrix in two fractions: acidic ether (Fraction A) for acidic and neutral drugs, and alkaline chloroform (Fraction B) for alkaloids. Developed by Jean Servais Stas in 1851 and modified by Julius Otto.

Related terms

Ammonium Sulphate Modification
The Otto variant in which saturated (NH4)2SO4 is added to a protein-rich homogenate (liver, kidney, blood) to salt out proteins before partitioning....
Colour Spot Test
A presumptive identification reaction in which a small amount of concentrated fraction is treated with a chromogenic reagent (Marquis, Mecke, Mandelin, Mayer,...
Defatting
A clean-up step before partitioning in which the acidified aqueous is washed with petroleum ether or n-hexane to remove fats, waxes and...
Fraction a
The acidic ether extract obtained by partitioning the acidified aqueous tissue digest with diethyl ether at pH 2 to 3. Contains barbiturates,...
Fraction B
The alkaline chloroform extract obtained after basifying the residual aqueous to pH 9 to 10 with ammonium hydroxide and partitioning with chloroform....

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