Solvent and Emulsion Extractions of Gallic Acid by Tributylphosphate: Mechanisms and Parametric Study

The aim of this paper was to study solvent extraction or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and extraction by emulsion (ELM) of gallic acid, a biomolecule present in many plants. A mechanism involving three tributylphosphate molecules for one molecule of undissociated gallic acid with co-extraction of water was found in LLE. ELM process is as fast as LLE and more efficient; in addition, it is more environmentally-friendly because lower extractant concentrations and smaller organic phase volumes were needed.