Novel conversion of Chl a into Chl d catalyzed by grated vegetables

Abstract

Novel conversion of Chl a to Chl d was observed when Chl a was incubated in aqueous acetone with grated papaya(skin), Japanese radish(root), wasabi(rhizome), turnip(root), broccoli(stalk), white radish(leaf), cabbage(leaf), qing-geng-cai(leaf), napa cabbage(leaf), rocket salad(leaf), scallion(leaf), garlic(bulb), green pepper(skin), garlic chives(leaf), Japanese parsley(leaf), cucumber(skin), spinach(leaf), and haricot(bean), and eggplant(skin). It is interesting to note that Chl d was not present in the initial vegetables. In contrast, the Chl a into Chl d conversion was not observed, when several fruits or chile pepper(bean), tomato(skin), green pea(bean), string bean(bean), ginger(roots), corn marigold(leaf) and alligator pear(skin) were used. Our finding suggests that the Chl a to Chl d conversion is not a rare event in nature, and will provide new insight into the unsolved question as to the birth of Chl d in natural photosynthesis.