Spectrometric Assays for Plant, Algal and Bacterial Chlorophylls

Abstract

Chlorophyll (Chl) assays derive their importance from the essential role of Chls in the harvesting of solar energy and its transduction to biologically useful chemical energy (ATP) and reducing power (NADPH or NADH) during photosynthesis in higher plants, marine and aquatic algae, and in photosynthetic bacteria. Accurate determination of Chl a and b concentrations and of Chl a/b ratios has been an essential tool in photosynthesis research in higher plants and green algae. Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric assays, relying on the characteristic absorption and fluorescence properties of the chlorophylls, will be described and accurate data presented for spectrophotometric assays in a wide variety of solvents.