LIQUID–LIQUID EXTRACTION OF CAFFEINE FROM AN ENERGY DRINK
Estrella, V. Montenegro, I. Miño, S. Palma, M.
October 24, 2025
Abstrac: This experiment aimed to extract caffeine from the energy drink using a liquid–liquid
extraction with chloroform. The drink was heated to remove gas and mixed with the solvent, then filtered
and dried. No caffeine crystals were obtained (0.00 g) because acidic ingredients, like citric acid and
sodium citrate, kept caffeine dissolved in water. This result shows that a drink’s pH and composition
strongly affect caffeine solubility and extraction. The study highlights how beverage chemistry can
prevent the recovery of caffeine in extraction procedures.
Key Words: caffeine, liquid–liquid extraction, chloroform, solubility, acidity.
Theoretical Framework Table 1
Energy drinks have ingredients such as caffeine, Safety regulations with Chloroform
sugar, and vitamins that give energy and reduce
tiredness (Sánchez, J. C., Romero, C. R., &
CHLOROFORM (CHCL3)
Arroyave, C. D., 2021)Caffeine (C₈H₁₀N₄O₂)
Appearance colorless liquid
is a natural substance that stimulates the brain
SMELL Characteristics
by blocking adenosine, a molecule that causes HAZARDS Toxic and irritant
sleep (OCU, 2024) suspected carcinogen
skin and eyes irritation
Caffeine can dissolve in water and in organic
Causes nausea
solvents like chloroform, but in acidic drinks it FIRS AID If inhaled move and breathe fresh air
changes and becomes positively charged. When if ingested find medical help
this happens, it stays in the water and does not DISPOSAL Collect in halogenated organic waste
move to the organic solvent (LibreTexts, 2022). container
Liquid–liquid extraction is a process used to
Note: prepared by group 1
separate substances from one liquid to another.
Its success depends on how much of the
substance prefers the organic layer. Chloroform
is a dense, colorless liquid that can extract
Table 2
caffeine, but it is toxic and must be handled
carefully (NIOSH, 2023)
Safety regulations with Magnesium sulfate
Independent Variable: Type of energy drink heptahydrate
MAGNESIUM SULFATE HEPTAHYDRATE
Dependent Variable: Amount of caffeine (MGSO4*7H2O)
extracted. Appearance White crystals
SMELL Odorless
HAZARDS General warmig
Controlled Variables: Temperature, solvent
Mild irritation to skin or eyes
volume, stirring speed, extraction time.
skin and eyes irritation
FIRS AID If contact rinse with water
Hypothesis: If the drink is acidic, the caffeine If irritation persist seek medical
will stay in the water and no solid caffeine will assistance
appear. HANDLING Avoid creating dust clouds
Wear gloves and googles
DISPOSAL Dissolve in water for disposal
Methodology
Note: prepared by group 1
The practice was done under safe laboratory
conditions. First, 30 mL of energy drink were
placed in a beaker and heated on a magnetic
stirrer at 140 rpm for 15 minutes to remove gas. Table 3
Then, 10 mL of chloroform were added in a Materials incertitude
separatory funnel. The funnel was shaken gently
to mix both liquids and then left to rest. MATERIALS INCERTITUD
E
The bottom layer (chloroform) was collected TEST TUBE (100 ML) ±10mL
through a small cotton filter and dried using TEST TUBE (10ML) ±0,1mL
anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄). BALANCE ±0,01g
Finally, the solvent was heated at 60 °C to
Separatory funnel N/A
evaporate it, but no significant amount of
caffeine crystals were seen or observed. PIPETTES N/A
HEATING FLASK N/A
BEAKER N/A
UNIVERSAL SUPPORT N/A Note: Own elaboration.
COTTON N/A
Hot plate N/A
Note: Own elaboration
Results and Discussions
The aim of this experiment was to extract Chloroform was chosen as the solvent
caffeine from the energy drink Volt using a because of its ability to form dipolar
liquid–liquid extraction with chloroform. interactions with caffeine, facilitating its
The drink was heated and mixed with extraction from the aqueous matrix of the
chloroform, then filtered and dried. No energy drink. However, the solubility of
caffeine crystals were obtained (0.00 g) caffeine in chloroform can be affected by
because acidic ingredients, like citric acid the pH of the solution. In acidic solutions,
caffeine can become protonated, becoming
and sodium citrate, kept the caffeine
more polar and therefore more soluble in
dissolved in water.
the aqueous phase than in the organic
phase.
Table 5
Caffeine crystals weight
In addition, the presence of organic acids
SAMPLES AMOUNT OF CAFFEINE and salts in the energy drink can compete
with caffeine for solubility in the organic
BEVERAGE A 0,04g solvent, reducing the efficiency of the
extraction. Practical factors such as small
BEVERAGE B 0,56g
losses during phase transfer or crystal
BEVERAGE C 0,00g adhesion to the flask can also influence the
BEVERAGE D 0,2g results obtained.
Recent studies have shown that the Reference
solubility of caffeine in chloroform is
significantly higher compared to other
solvents, making chloroform an effective
solvent for its extraction under ideal
conditions. However, in complex matrices
such as energy drinks, the chemical
composition can alter this dynamic,
preventing the formation of caffeine
crystals.
In summary, the lack of caffeine crystal
formation in Volt drink highlights the
importance of considering the pH and
chemical composition of the matrix in
extraction procedures. This study suggests
that, to improve the efficiency of caffeine
extraction in beverages with complex
compositions, alternative methods or
adjustments to the experimental conditions
could be explored.
Figure 1
Comparison of amounts of caffeine
Comparison of amounts
0,60
Amount of caffeine [g]
0,50
0,40
0,30
0,20
0,10
0,00
Note: Own elaboration with group 1
Conclusions
Evaluation
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Sánchez, J. C., Romero, C. R., & Arroyave, C. D. (2021). Energy Drinks: Beneficial and Harmful
Effects on Health. Perspectivas en Nutrición Humana,.
OCU. (2024). Obtenido de Energy Drinks: Caffeine in a Can: [Link]
LibreTexts. (2022). Ion–Dipole Forces. Chemistry LibreTexts.
NIOSH. (2023). Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.