The isolation of trimyristin from powdered nutmeg is a common introductory-level college organic chemistry experiment.[8][9] It is an uncommonly simple natural product extraction because nutmeg oil generally consists of over eighty percent trimyristin. Trimyristin makes up between 20-25% of the overall mass of dried, ground nutmeg. Separation is generally carried out by steam distillation and purification uses extraction from ether followed by distillation or rotary evaporation to remove the volatile solvent. The extraction of trimyristin can also be done with diethyl ether at room temperature, due to its high solubility in the ether. The experiment is frequently included in curricula, both for its relative ease and to provide instruction in these techniques. Trimyristin can then be used to prepare myristic acid[10] or one of its salts[11] as an example of saponification.
^ abCharbonnet, G. H.; Singleton, W. S. (1947). "Thermal properties of fats and oils". Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 24 (5): 140. doi:10.1007/BF02643296. S2CID101805872.
^ abcdTrimyristin in Linstrom, Peter J.; Mallard, William G. (eds.); NIST Chemistry WebBook, NIST Standard Reference Database Number 69, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg (MD) (retrieved 2014-06-19)
^Frank, Forrest; Roberts, Theodore; Snell, Jane; Yates, Christy; Collins, Joseph (1971). "Trimyristin from nutmeg". Journal of Chemical Education. 48 (4): 255. Bibcode:1971JChEd..48..255F. doi:10.1021/ed048p255.
^Vestling, Martha M (1990). "Isolation of trimyristin and cholesterol: Two microscale extractions for one laboratory period". Journal of Chemical Education. 67 (3): 274. Bibcode:1990JChEd..67..274V. doi:10.1021/ed067p274.
^De Mattos, Marcio C. S; Nicodem, David E (2002). "Soap from Nutmeg: An Integrated Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory Experiment". Journal of Chemical Education. 79 (1): 94. Bibcode:2002JChEd..79...94D. doi:10.1021/ed079p94.