Abstract
Carotenoids have multiple functions in photosynthetic systems. A part of them have been well documented /1,2/. More recently, an additional function has been proposed which involves a specific carotenoid-chlorophyll interaction in their singlet excited states, leading to a quenching in chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence. This means that carotenoids may play a role in regulating the energy flow of Chl excited states in photosynthetic antenna, being implied in an energy dissipation route. The former reports concerning the quenching of Chl fluorescence by β-carotene have been shown to be contradictory /3–5/. Further studies have shown that β-carotene can quench Chi a fluorescence in organic solvents /6,7/.
Key words
- complex formation
- electronic excitation
- excited state lifetime
- higher plants
- optical properties
- pigments
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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Gazdaru, D.M., Iorga, B., Balm, P.F. (1998). Quenching of Chlorophyll a Fluorescence by β-Carotene. In: Garab, G. (eds) Photosynthesis: Mechanisms and Effects. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3953-3_115
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3953-3_115
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-5547-2
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