An improved method for the determination of phytoplankton chlorophyll using N, N-dimethylformamide

Abstract

Non volatile N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at room temperature is proposed as a new solvent for determining the chlorophyll a in cultured and natural phytoplankton samples. Advantages of DMF compared to the solvents ordinarily used are (1) higher extraction efficiency, (2) rapid extraction time of 30 min, (3) simple extraction procedure requiring neither extra heating nor grinding, but soaking, and (4) a long stable life of chlorophyll a (at least one month at 5°C in the dark). © 1989 the Oceanographical Society of Japan.