The biomass samples (5 g) were extracted using soxhlet
extraction apparatus through extraction thimbles (single
thickness, cotton cellulose thimble with external length
94 mm and ID 33 mm). Three stages of extraction; n-hexane,
followed by ethanol (95%) and distilled water was performed
and each extraction operation was executed for 6 h.
In first step the extraction of n-hexane soluble compounds
was carried out to separate the class of compounds such as
non-polar lipids, hydrocarbon compounds and terpenoids,
etc. The raffinated biomass of the first step was extracted with
ethanol to separate compounds such as chlorophyll, polar
waxes, sterol and other minor constituents. The final raffinate
biomass was extracted with distilled water to separate inorganic
materials and non-structural carbohydrates etc [28]. The
solvent in each extract was removed in rotary evaporator
under reduced pressure. The results of the experiments are
listed in Table 3.