Integrating Biology into the General Chemistry Laboratory: Fluorometric Analysis of Chlorophyll a

• Autores: Meredith C. Wesolowski
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 91, Nº 8, 2014, págs. 1224-1227
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • A laboratory experiment that introduces fluorometry of chlorophyll a at the general chemistry level is described. The use of thin-layer chromatography to isolate chlorophyll a from spirulina and leaf matter enables quantification of small amounts of chlorophyll a via fluorometry. Student results were reasonably comparable to those found in the literature. This experiment uses relatively low volumes of organic solvents and an inexpensive fluorescence spectrometer (such as a Vernier SpectroVis Plus). The method could also be adapted for inquiry-based laboratories comparing chlorophyll a levels in plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria.