The freshman chemistry curriculum at UC-Berkeley includes a strong emphasis on analytical chemistry and use of instrumentation.  For the last several years there has also been considerable effort in developing experiments that incorporate ideas of sustainability and green chemistry.  Green chemistry is an inherently interdisciplinary subject which leads to a greater breadth in the skills and concepts introduced by the experiments.  One three part module we have developed involves analysis of thyme leaf extracts using TLC and HPLC with standard addition.  Thymol, one of the compounds in thyme leaf extracts, has antibacterial properties and is used in many green cleansers on the market.  The experiment includes a Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay to test the antibacterial properties of thymol.  Chemistry majors and nonmajors alike are learning simple microbiology techniques in addition to chromatography.  The experiments introduce several green chemistry concepts while maintaining analytical rigor.

Green chemistry in the lab: Quantitative analysis and antibacterial properties of thyme leaf

248th National Meeting (2014)

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