2.3. Extraction of artemisinin by refluxing
Samples of 1 g of artemisia biomass (undistilled controls) were extracted with 100 mL of deionized, distilled water (to mimic distillation conditions) or petroleum ether (to compare extraction efficiency), both using a Soxhlet apparatus. Flasks were placed on the heating units and boiled from 1.25 to 40 min. The samples were then removed as each recorded time passed. Water extractions were vacuum-filtered through Whatman #1 filter paper, and partitioned twice with 100 mL of petroleum ether to extract artemisinin from aqueous phase. The petroleum ether phases were combined and evaporated to dryness in a fume hood overnight.