Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

nsf-logo[1]

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About the NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Partners/Supporters
    • Project Team
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Presentation Schedules
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
    • Undergraduate Abstract Locator (2020)
    • Graduate Abstract Locator (2020)
    • Faculty Abstract Locator (2020)
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • App
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP/CREST PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • Video Contest
    • Video Contest Winners
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us

FAME Extraction: Refining the Technique for Extracting Fatty Acids from Mexican Native Plant Seeds

Undergraduate #231
Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Plant Research

Adria Peterkin - Howard University
Co-Author(s): Danielle Mcletchie, Howard University, Washington, DC



Unusual fatty acids are currently considered as a credible alternative to petrol-based products due to their physicochemical properties that make them suitable for industrial applications. These unusual fatty acids are thought to accumulate in unusual/exotic plants. Our aim is to analyze fatty acid profiles of seeds of native plants of Mexico in order to identify unusual fatty acid accumulators. The fatty acid profile technique that is used includes, extraction from the plant seeds, simultaneous saponification and methylation process and later analysis with GC, gas chromatography; In order to produce FAME it is necessary to identify its existence, its quantity, and its properties. In our results, we expect to find a peak at 13 min, which will indicate the standard fatty acid from the sample used, olive oil. The continuation of this research will involve obtaining these Mexican native plants seeds and performing extraction using a Soxhlet Apparatus. Furthermore, FAME extraction will be a beneficial addition to industry because it provides scientist and engineers with an environmentally friendly reagent to be used in industry.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): National Science Foundation

Faculty Advisor: Elie El Kassis,

ERN Conference

The 2022 ERN Conference has been postponed.

Full Notice

What’s New

  • Congratulations to Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy on her 2021 AAAS Fellowship
  • Event Vaccination and Liability Policy
  • Webinars
  • Events|Opportunities
  • AAAS CEO Comments on Social Unrest, Racism, and Inequality
  • Maintaining Accessibility in Online Teaching During COVID-19
  • In the News
  • HBCU/CREST PI/PD Meeting

Conference Photos

ERN Conference Photo Galleries

Awards

ERN Conference Award Winners

Checking In

nsf-logo[1]

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

The World's Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

 

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law
© 2022 American Association for the Advancement of Science