Extraction protocol for isolation of CNSL by using protic and aprotic solvents from cashew nut and study of their physico-chemical parameter

Abstract Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) represents the largest readily available bioresource of alkenyl phenolic compounds. (CNSL) and its derivatives are widely used in polymer-based industries, synthesis of chemicals and intermediates, including bactericides, insecticides and surface active agents. In this work extraction of cashew nut shell liquid from cashew nut shell (CNS) was carried out by using the Soxhlet extraction method in the presence of polar & non-polar solvents. From the extracted CNSL, anacardic acid was selectively isolated and acid free CNSL was treated with liquor ammonia to separate the cardanol and cardol in the stepwise manner. Comparative study for the extracted CNSL and S-was performed. Higher amount of extracted CNSL was obtained from polar solvents. They were all characterized using quantitative analysis by HPLC.