Im just posting this because i think this site is a good place to ask my question...
Im extracting harmala from syrian rue (50g) and im at the step where it says to decant in one tek and in another it says to filter using a coffee filter or some other fine filter so that the alkaloids dont pass through. I bought some filters that have 10-15um max aperture, some qualitative filter paper so thays no problem. But, i accidentally put way too much soda ash in trying to make the brew that lighter milky color... i figured id do a combination and decant the top layer, then filter. Its just i dont know which layer is harmala, and which is soda ash... i have a picture to better explain. Im guessing that the smaller (med) layer is the alkaloids i want but i want to be sure. Heres a pic