Analysis of Food Extracts with Thin Layer Chromatography: A STEM Outreach Activity

Area of Science:

• Chemistry
• Science Education

Background:

• Chemistry outreach programs are vital for engaging young learners in STEM.
• Hands-on activities demonstrate practical applications of scientific principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce 8th-12th grade students to chemical extraction and thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
• To illustrate the real-world application of chemistry in analyzing natural compounds from food.

Main Methods:

• Familiar food items were extracted using ethanol or ethyl acetate.
• Extracts were analyzed via thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with ethyl acetate and cyclohexane solvent systems.
• Separated compounds were visualized using a stain after development.

Main Results:

• Thin-layer chromatography successfully separated compounds from various food extracts.
• Participants gained practical experience repeating the TLC analysis with self-selected extracts.
• The activity effectively demonstrated chemical separation techniques.

Conclusions:

• Extraction and TLC are effective methods for analyzing compounds in natural products.
• This outreach activity successfully engaged students in applied chemistry.
• The program highlighted the relevance of STEM skills in everyday life.