Question

At two points we added a type of salt to the extraction. One was potassium acetate (Kac) and the other was ammonium acetate (AA). Each type of salt is used at a different point in the protocol. Why do you do this and what purpose does each one serve it serve?

Answer 1

Potassium acetate is added to lower the pH, while ammonium acetate is added to raise the pH of the solution in an extraction protocol.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adding salts such as potassium acetate (Kac) and ammonium acetate (AA) to an extraction protocol serves different purposes. Potassium acetate is added to lower the pH of the solution, while ammonium acetate is added to raise the pH. The effects of these salts on pH depend on the relative strengths of the acid and base character of their ions. In the case of ammonium acetate, the ammonium ion acts as a weak acid and lowers the pH, while the acetate ion acts as a weak base and raises the pH. Overall, the addition of these salts helps to control the pH of the solution and optimize the extraction process.