*3.4. Soxhlet Extraction*

Bitter melon powder (4.8 kg) was subjected to Soxhlet extraction using various solvents in a sequential manner with increasing polarities [18]. All the extracts were concentrated under vacuum separately and lyophilized to obtain dried powder as follows: *n*-hexane (57.6 g; 0.71%), ethyl acetate (91.8 g; 1.13%); acetone (161.9 g; 2.0%); methanol (131.5 g; 1.62%; methanol: water (1:1; *v*/*v*) (143.7 g; 1.77%) and methanol: water (1:3; *v*/*v*) (197.7 g; 2.44%). The extraction yields were expressed in the weight percentage of fresh fruit.
