This application note provides a method for determining the plant pigment content using METTLER TOLEDO's UV/VIS spectrophotometer.
What Are Plant Pigments and Why Is Its Determination Important?
Chlorophyll and carotenoids are pigments found in plants, algae, and some bacteria that are involved in photosynthesis, which converts light energy into chemical energy. Chlorophyll is a green pigment, and carotenoid is a yellow, orange, and red pigment. The content of chlorophyll and carotenoids in a plant depends on light intensity, temperature, nutrient availability, and environmental stress. Plants that receive more light and nutrients tend to have higher chlorophyll and carotenoid content.
Chlorophyll and carotenoid content is an important indicator of plant health. Higher content indicates a plant is photosynthesizing efficiently and is healthy, while a low ratio may indicate stress or disease.
How to Determine Its Content?
In this application note, the quantification of plant pigments, including chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids, in green leafy vegetables is performed using a UV/VIS spectrophotometer. The extraction of chlorophylls is carried out using methanol and chloroform. The absorbance is measured at 480, 653, and 666 nm to determine the concentration of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, respectively.
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