In the chemical method, which step uses Bloom's reagent for extraction?

• A. Saponification by Alcoholic KOH
• B. Extraction by Bloom's Reagent (Ethanol-Ether)
• C. Purification by Digitonin
• D. Colorimetry with Sulfuric Acid and Acetic Anhydride or Ferric Iron

Answer: (B)

The step hinges on a liquid-liquid extraction using a solvent system designed to pull the target compounds into an organic phase. Bloom's reagent here means a mixture of ethanol and ether chosen to efficiently dissolve and partition the desired constituents away from the aqueous or solid matrix. After any acid–base adjustments that render the compounds as neutral bases, they preferentially move into the organic layer formed by the ethanol–ether mixture, enabling their separation from other components. This extraction step is distinct from saponification, which hydrolyzes esters with alcoholic KOH; from purification steps that use agents like digitonin to separate or isolate specific substances; and from colorimetric steps that detect analytes after extraction.