Skip to main content
Log in

Chlorophyll derivatives—Their chemistry? commercial preparation and uses

  • Published:
Economic Botany Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

These products are commercially obtained in the United States to the extent of about 80,000 pounds annually by extraction of about 32,000,000 pounds of alfalfa, for the most part by only three concerns. They are finding increasing use, not only in the manufacture of popular deodorants but also in medicinal preparations for treating anemia and hypertension, as a healing agent and in oral hygiene.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  1. Angelo, L. [Clinical studies on chloro- phyll]. La Riforma Medica 47: 83. 1931.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Aoki, S. Experimental studies on effect of chlorophyll upon formation of haemoglobin. Sci-I- Kwai Med. Jour. 50: 1. 1931.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Banning, Mary. Practical methods of making and using multilayer filters. Jour. Opt. Soc. Am. 37: 792. 1947.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Barnes, T. C. Experimental studies of healing agents for human skin. Hahne- mann Mon. 83: 493. 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  5. —, et al. Am. Jour. Surg. 82: 720. 1951.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Becquerel, E. Action des rayons différem- ment refrangibles sur l’iodure et le bro- mure d’ argent; influence des matières colorantes. Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris] 79: 185. 1874.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Berzelius, J. Untersuchung des Blattgrüns (Chlorophylls). Ann. Chemie 27: 296. 1838.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bcyersdorfer, P., und Hess, W. Über die Einwirkung von ultravioletten Strahlen auf Saccharose Lösungen. Ber. Deut. Chem. Ges. 57: 1708. 1924.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Blum, H. F. Medical Physics.

  10. Böhi, J. Zinkoxyd und Chlorophyll als optische Sensibilisatoren. Hclvet. Chim. Acta 12: 121. 1928.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Bollman, J. L., and Sheard, C. The bili- rubin content of the blood following injections of chlorophyll. Am. Jour. Physiol. 83: 239. 1927.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Bowers, W. F. Chlorophyll in wound heal- ing and suppurative disease. Am. Jour. Surg. 73: 37. 1947.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. British Patent No. 387,934. 1933.

  14. Burgi. E. Chlorophyll als Pharmakon. 1932.

  15. -. Das Chlorophyll als blutbildendes und belebendes Agens. Therapeutische Monatshefte. Jan.-Feb., 1918.

  16. Buttitta, P. L. Azione del chlorofillinato di sodio sulla coagulazione del sangue. Boll. Soc. Ital. Biol. Sper. 22: 593. 1946.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Carpenter, E. B. Clinical experiences with chlorophyll preparations. With particu- lar reference to chronic osteomyelitis and chronic ulcers. Am. Jour. Surg. 77: 167. 1949.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Chipault, J. R., and Lundberg, W. O. Course and mechanism of autoxidation of fats. Univ. Minn., Hormel Inst., Ann. Rep. 1946–47: 9–14. [Chem. Abst. 44: 8135. 1950].

  19. Combes, F. C., et al. Chlorophyll in topi- cal therapy. N. Y. State Jour. Med. 52: 1025. 1952.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Conant, J. B., and Mover, W. W. Studies in chlorophyll series. III. Products of the phase test. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc. 52: 3013. 1930.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. —, et al. Studies in the chlorophyll series. IV. The degradation of chloro- phyll and allomerized chlorophyll to simple chlorins. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc. 53: 359. 1931.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Dijkstra, B. K. S. Deodorant activity of chlorophyll. Nederl. Tijds. Geneesk. 95: 208. 1951.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Dupont, R., et Duhamel, G. Chlorophylle et cancer. Bull. Assoc. Franc. l’étude cancer. 24: 15. 1935.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Ellis, C., and Wells, A. A. The chemical action of ultra violet rays. [Rev. ed. by F. F. Heyroth]. 961 pp. 1941.

  25. Emerson, R. The relation between maxi- mum rate of photosynthesis and concen- tration of chlorophyll. Jour. Gen. Physiol. 12: 609. 1929.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Figge, F. H. J., et al. Cancer detection and therapy. Affinity of neoplastic, em- bryonic, and traumatized tissues for por-phyrins and metalloporphyrins. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. & Med. 68: 640. 1948.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Finocchi, G. Considerazioni sull’ uso della chlorofillina nell’ozena. Minerva Med. 43(1): 134. 1952.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Fischer, H., and Orth. Die “Chemie des Pyrroles”. Akademische Verlagsgesell- schaft. Leipzig. 1940.

  29. —. Fortschritte der Chlorophyllchemie. Naturwiss. 28: 401. 1940.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Fleischer, W. E. The relation between chlorophyll content and rate of photo- synthesis. Jour. Gen. Physiol. 18: 573. 1935.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Frank, C. J., and Loomis, W. E. Photo- synthesis in plants. 500 pp. 1949.

  32. Gale, E. S., and Staneslow, B. J. Rheology of carbon paper inks. Am. Ink Maker 28: 34. 1950.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Gassner, G., und Goeze, G. Assimilations- verhalten, Chlorophyllgehalt und Tran- spirationsgrösse von Getreideblättern mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Kalium- und Stickstoffernährung. Zeits. Bot. 27: 257. 1934.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Ghosh, J. C., and Sen Gupta, S. B. Photo- chemical reduction of methyl red by phenylhydrazine, using chlorophyll solu-tion as sensitizer. Jour. Indian Chem. Soc. 11: 65. 1934.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Gruskin, B. Chlorophyll: Its therapeutic place in acute and suppurative disease; preliminary report of clinical use and rationale. Am. Jour. Surg. 49: 49. 1940.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Hale. U. S. Patent 2,445,778. 1948.

  37. -. U. S. Patent 2,460,284. 1949.

  38. Harrison, J. W. E., et al. A practical evaluation of “Chlorophyll” in controlling breath odors. Soc. Cosm. Chem., Ann. Meet. 1952.

  39. Hoppe-Seyler, F. Über das Chlorophyll der Pflanzen. I. Zeits. Physiol. Chemie 3: 339. 1879.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Hormel Inst., Univ. Maine, Ann. Rep. 1946–47.

  41. Hughes, J. H., and Latner, A. L. Chloro- phyll and haemoglobin regeneration after haemorrhage. Jour. Physiol. 86: 388. 1936.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Johnston, E. S. The functions of radiation in the physiology of plants. II. Some effects of near infra-red radiation on plants. Smithson. Inst. Wash., Publ. Misc. Coll. 87(14): 1–15. 1932.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Kennedy, S. R. The influence of mag- nesium deficiency, chlorophyll deficiency, and heat treatments on the rate of photosynthesis ofChlorella. Am. Jour. Bot. 27: 68. 1940.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Killian, J. A., and Panzrella, F. P. Com- parative studies of samples of perspira- tion collected from clean and unclean skins of human subjects. Toilet Goods Assoc., Proc, Sci. Sect. 7: 3. 1947.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Kostychev, S. Chemical plant physiology. [Eng. Trans. by C. J. Lyon]. 1931.

  46. Krasnovskii, A. A., and Brin, G. P. Trans- fer of hydrogen from ascorbic acid to codehydrogenase I under action of light absorbed by chlorophyll. Doklady Akad. Nauk. 67: 325. 1949.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Kuen, F. M., und Püringer, Konstantia. Über die sensibilisierende Wirkung der Blattfarbstoffe Chlorophyll, Carotin und Xanthophyll. Biochem. Zeits. 286: 196. 1936.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Lowry. Post Grad. Med. 11: 523. 1952.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Maiwald, K. Wirkunk höher Nährstoff- gaben auf den Assimilationsapparat. Ang. Bot. 5: 33. 1923.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Marchlewski, L. Die Chemie des Chloro- phylls. 1895.

  51. McDonnell, C. H., and Domalakes, E. F. Effects of toothbrushing with dentrifices containing chlorophyllin on gingivitis. Jour. Peridont. 23: 219. 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  52. McHargue, J. S. The role of manganese in plants. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc. 44: 1592. 1922.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. German Patent 720,224. 1943.

  54. Meyer, H. Physik dunn R. Schichten.

  55. Montgomery, R. M., and Nachtigall, H. B. Oral administration of chlorophyll frac- tions for body deodorization. Postgrad. Med. 8: 401. 1950.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Mori, Takeshi. Constituents of chloro- phyllin preparations for wound cure. Res. Inst. Nat. Res. Tokyo, Misc. Rep. 17-18: 174. 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Niemiro, B. J. Effect of chlorophyll on delayed healing of pilonidal cyst wounds. Jour. Lancet 71: 364. 1951.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Anon. Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter. March 14, 1938.

  59. Osamu, Makaki. Rept. Jap. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 16: 342. 1942.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Patek, A. J. Chlorophyll and regeneration of blood: Effect of administration of chlorophyll derivatives to patients with chronic hypochromic anemia. Arch. Int. Med. 57: 73. 1936.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Feed Age. January, 1952.

  62. Plotnikow, I., und Weber, K. über den photochemischen Abbau der Nicotin- solze. Chem. Zeit. 55: 237. 1931.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Rentz, R. Chlorophyll und Blutbild. Skand. Arch. Physiol. 57: 121. 1929.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Roffo, A. H. Photoaktivität des Chloro- phylls. Strahlentherapie 45: 115. 1932.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Rothemunde, P. Before Scientific Sect. Amer. Pharm. Mfgrs. Ass. Feb. 3, 1953. (Quoted in Drug and Allied Ind., p. 10, 1953).

  66. -. Medical Physics.

  67. Ruchkin, V. N. [The quality of linseed oil obtained from flaxseed at early stages of maturity]. Masloboino Zhirovoe Delo 15(6): 6–8. 1939. [Chem. Abst. 34: 3513. 1940].

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Schertz, F. M. Isolation of chlorophyll, carotene and xanthophyll by. improved methods. Ind. & Eng. Chem. 30: 1073. 1938.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Schmidt, H. Hydroxy carboxylic acids. U. S. Patent 2,587,906. 1952. [Chem. Abst. 46: 9123. 1952].

  70. Schreiber, P. Research and Development Branch, Military Planning Div. Office of the Quartermaster General. Proc. Sci. Sect, Toilet Goods Assoc. 4: 14. 1945.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Schülke, H. über die Stoffwechselwirkung der Porphyrine. Biochem. Zeits. 311: 146. 1942.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Schunck, E. Proc. Roy. Soc. London 39: 348. 1885; 44: 448. 1888. [Cited by R. Willstaeter, Investigations on Chloro-phyll. Ref. 86].

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Serling, M. E. Control of body and breath odors with chlorophyll fractions. Vet. Med. 45: 291. 1950.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. —. Clinical use of therapeutic agents containing chlorophyll. Vet. Med. 47: 155. 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Smith, L. W. Chlorophyll: an experimen- tal study of its water-soluble derivatives. Remarks upon history, chemistry, tox- icity and antibacterial properties of water-soluble chlorophyll derivatives as therapeutic agents. Am. Jour. Med. Sci. 207: 647. 1944.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. —, and Livingston, A. E. Wound heal- ing, an experimental study of water solu- ble chlorophyll derivatives in conjunc- tion with various antibacterial agents. Am. Jour. Surg. 67: 30. 1945.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. —, and Sano, M. E. Chlorophyll: an experimental study of its water soluble derivatives. IV. The effect of water solu- ble chlorophyll derivatives and other agents upon fibroblasts in tissue culture. Jour. Lab. Clin. Med. 29: 241. 1944.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. —, and Spaulding, E. H. The bacteri- cidal and bacteriostatic action of water soluble chlorophylla upon standard pathogenic cultures. Am. Jour. Med. Sci. 207: 647. 1944.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Wright, H. P. Present status of gold therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Ca- nadian Med. Assoc, Jour. 59: 3.59. 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Stokes, G. G. On the supposed identity of biliverdin with chlorophyll with remarks on the constitution of chlorophyll. Proc. Roy. Soc. London 13: 144. 1864.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Stoklasa, J. Über die Bedeutung der Ein- wirkung der ultravioletten Strahlen auf die photochemische Synthese der Kohle-hydrate in der chlorophyllhaltigen Zelle. Strahlentherapie 6: 119. 1915.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Tinao, M. M., e Vidal, A. Z. Medicamen- tos protectores de la piel para las radi- aciones ultravioletas. Trab. Inst. Nac. Cien. Med. 6: 443. 1945-46.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Tixier, L., et al. La thérapeutique des maladies par excès de cholestérol. Rev. Med. Paris 54: 204. 1937.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. U. S. Patent 2,481,366. 1950.

  85. Verdeil, F. Recherches sur la matière colorante verte des plantes et sur la matière rouge du sang. Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris] 33: 689. 1851.

    Google Scholar 

  86. Vidal, Antonio. Photosensitizing and photo- protector substances. II. Trab. Inst. Nac. Cien. Med. 6: 465. 1945-46.

    Google Scholar 

  87. Wagner-Jauregg, “Chemische Therapie”. Basel. 1948.

  88. Wasielewski, E. V., und Albrecht, A. Der Wirkungsmechanismus des Chlorophylls bei der Desodoration. Arzn. Forsch. 2: 448. 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  89. Westcott, F. H. Oral chlorophyll fractions for body and breath deodorization. N. Y. State Jour. Med. 50: 698. 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Willstaeter, R., and Stoll, A. Investiga- tions on chlorophyll. (Trans. by Schertz and Merz].

  91. Winterstein, A., und Stein, Gertrud. Frak- tionierung. und. Reindarstellung. orga- nischer Substanzen nach dem Prinzip der chromatographischen Adsorptionsanalyse. Zeits. Physiol. Chemie 220: 247. 1933.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Wunderer, A. The use of light filters for- ultraviolet wavelengths in the protection of human skin against strong radiation. Chem. Zeit. 65: 294. 1941.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Zickgraf, G. Ueber parenterale Chloro- phyllintherapie. Münch. Med. Wochen- schrift 79: 998. 1932.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kephart, J.C. Chlorophyll derivatives—Their chemistry? commercial preparation and uses . Econ Bot 9, 3–38 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02984956

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02984956

Keywords

Navigation