Extraction and quantification of -carotene:

1. In the mechanical preparation of the sample, why should we not use a mortar and pestle instead of a blender?

2. Why we used Dichloromethane (DCM) instead of hexane (which is easier to handle) to extract -carotene?

3. What is the salting-out technique and why do we use it?

4. Why was the rotary evaporator chosen to concentrate the sample? (hint: remember the characteristics of solvent and the analyte).