70 
The Philippine Journal of Science 
1921 
During the extraction the alcohol becomes of a deep green color, due to 
the fat that has been dissolved out. At the end of 24 hours the alcohol 
is siphoned off and filtered until absolutely clear. Since a very considerable 
quantity remains in the tiqui-tiqui, this should be squeezed in a press, or 
washed with fresh alcohol, and the residuum filtered and added to the 
alcoholic filtrate already obtained. The extraction should then be repeated 
several times, again using three liters of alcohol to each kilo of polishings. 
This is necessary because the neuritis-preventing substances are only 
slightly soluble in cold 90 per cent alcohol, and experience has shown that 
if the polishings are not repeatedly extracted the full therapeutic action 
of the polishings is not obtained. The combined alcoholic filtrate is then 
placed in a water bath provided with a thermometer, and an electric fan 
is so arranged as to throw a strong current of air on the surface of the 
alcohol. As a result of the heat and the movement of air the alcohol 
rapidly evaporates. It is essential that the temperature of the extract 
should not be permitted to rise above 80 °C., since extended observation 
has shown that greater heat is liable to decompose the active neuritis- 
preventing principle. Whenever the temperature of the extract approached 
[sic.] 80°C. the fire should be extinguished until the temperature drops. 
This process is continued until all the alcohol is evaporated. The residue is 
poured into a separating funnel and allowed to stand for about an hour, 
when it will be observed that the liquid has separated into two layers. 
The upper and larger portion is of a deep green color and consists of the 
fat. The lower and smaller layer is brown in color, of syrupy consistency, 
and contains a number of substances that have been extracted by the 
alcohol. This lower layer is carefully drawn off, leaving the fat behind. 
It varies in amount, but about 25 cubic centimeters usually will be ob- 
tained from each kilo of polishings. The brown syrupy fluid so obtained 
from one kilo of polishings is diluted to 60 cubic centimeters with distilled 
water, whereupon a heavy precipitate is formed. This precipitate con- 
sists of substances that were soluble in alcohol, but are insoluble in water. 
After allowing the mixture to stand for a while the precipitate settles 
and the clear fluid is filtered off. This filtrate constitutes the extract 
as we have used it. Each 60 cubic centimeters contains the substances 
that have been extracted by this method from one kilo of polishings. 
In the latter part of 1913 the Bureau of Science commenced 
the manufacture of an extract of tikitiki for the cure of infantile 
beriberi. The method as outlined by Williams is as follows: 
Take 25 kilos (half of a sack) of tikitiki and soak in 75 liters 
of 20 to 25 per cent alcohol overnight or longer. Put in a 
cheesecloth sack and, press slowly until pressure reaches about 
80,000 pounds. Obtain about 60 liters of extract, allow to stand 
and put in still and evaporate under 15 centimeters pressure 
or less. When concentrated to about 3 liters, remove, filter, 
and mix the clear liquid with an equal quantity of 90 per cent 
alcohol, which will cause precipitation. Let stand overnight, 
decant from the precipitate and evaporate under vacuum to about 
1.7 liters. Filter if not clear, and bottle-. Sterilize the bottles 
at about 60° C., for twenty minutes, for three consecutive days. 
