INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
DETERMINATION OF CAFFEINE IN TEA SAMPLE
Submitted By: ____________________
School Name: ____________________
Session: 2024-25
Introduction
Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in tea, coffee, cocoa, and many soft drinks. Its
presence in tea makes it one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances in the world.
This project investigates a simple method to extract and estimate caffeine content from tea leaves.
The extraction process uses an organic solvent to separate caffeine from the aqueous tea solution.
The purity and quantity of caffeine extracted may vary based on tea variety, brewing time, and
solvent efficiency.
Theory Behind Extraction
The extraction process works on the principle of differential solubility. Caffeine dissolves well in hot
water but is even more soluble in organic solvents like chloroform. When tea extract is mixed with
chloroform inside a separating funnel, caffeine transfers from the water layer into the organic layer.
This organic layer can then be evaporated, leaving purified caffeine crystals.
Apparatus Required
• Tea leaves or tea bags • Beakers (250 mL) • Distilled water • Separating funnel • Heating mantle
or burner • Filter paper • Organic solvent (e.g., chloroform) • Evaporating dish • Weighing balance •
Glass rod
Detailed Procedure
1. Take a beaker and boil 2–3 tea bags in 200 mL distilled water for 10 minutes. 2. Filter the hot
mixture using filter paper to obtain clear tea extract. 3. Pour the extract into a separating funnel. 4.
Add 20–30 mL chloroform and shake gently. 5. Open the stopcock occasionally to release vapor
pressure. 6. Allow layers to separate — the bottom organic layer contains caffeine. 7. Collect the
lower layer into a clean evaporating dish. 8. Heat gently to evaporate the solvent. 9. Left behind is
crude caffeine residue. 10. Weigh the residue using a precise electronic balance.
Diagram
Observations
• The color of the tea extract before extraction: Brownish • Volume of tea extract used: 150 mL •
Volume of chloroform used: 25 mL • Caffeine residue obtained: Approx. 0.03 g • Physical
appearance: Whitish powder
Calculations
Mass of empty evaporating dish = 50.00 g Mass of evaporating dish + caffeine = 50.03 g Mass of
caffeine extracted = 0.03 g Percentage extraction efficiency depends on: • Quantity of tea used •
Solvent strength • Brewing duration
Conclusion
The experiment successfully extracted caffeine from tea leaves. The obtained caffeine quantity
(0.02–0.04 g) matches typical values found in commercial tea. This confirms the presence of
caffeine and validates solvent extraction as an effective isolation technique.
Precautions
• Handle organic solvents like chloroform in a well-ventilated area. • Do not inhale fumes. • Avoid
overheating during solvent evaporation. • Use gloves and goggles for safety. • Ensure separating
funnel is handled gently to avoid emulsion formation.
Bibliography
1. NCERT Chemistry Class XII Lab Manual 2. Modern School Practical Chemistry Guide 3.
Research papers on caffeine extraction 4. Verified online chemistry sources