Using a Microscale Approach To Rapidly Separate and Characterize Three Photosynthetic Pigment Species from Fern

• Theppawut Israsena Na Ayudhya ^[1] ; Frederick T. Posey ^[1] ; Jessica C. Tyus ^[1] ; Nin N. Dingra ^[2]
  1. [1] Florida SouthWestern State College

     Florida SouthWestern State College

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] State University of New York

     State University of New York

     City of Albany, Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 92, Nº 5, 2015, págs. 920-923
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • A rapid separation of three photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b and xanthophyll) from fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is described using microscale solvent extraction and traditional thin layer chromatography that minimizes use of harmful chemicals and lengthy procedures. The experiment introduces students to the concepts of extraction and separation of compounds. Combined with absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy using a plate reader, this laboratory experiment demonstrates the concept of light absorption by different pigments that are involved in photosynthesis as well as their photoluminescence properties. This new approach allows students to perform multilaboratory techniques within a 3 h laboratory session. The experiment has been used successfully in an introductory level course, but it may be easily adapted to second-year courses such as organic chemistry laboratory where these methods are widely used.