Summary
A new method is developed for the detection of carotenoids in chlorophyll samples.
The typical colour curve of chlorophyll in 80 % methyl alcohol exhibits marked absorption in 690μμ to 610μμ and less absorption in 500μμ to 430μμ. The colour curve of chlorophyll contaminated with carotenoids exhibits higher values in the region 530μμ to 430μμ. If carotin is present, the band maximum in the region 530μμ to 430μμ is located at 500μμ, and if xanthophyll is the impurity the band maximum is shifted to 430μμ. On a comparison of the colour curve of the sample to be tested with that of the typical colour curve of chlorophyll the presence of carotenoids at once becomes evident, and carotin and xanthophyll are identified separately by the positions of the band maxima in the region 500μμ to 430μμ.
Carotenoids in as low a concentration as 0.05 % are detected by the new method described.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Jörgensen, I. andKidd, F., 1917, Some photochemical experiments with pure chlorophyll and their bearing on carbon assimilation. Proc. Roy. Soc. B. 89, 1.
Singh, B. N. andAnantha Rao, N. K., 1937, Colour curves and purity tests in physiological researches. Jour. Gen. Physiol. (in course of publication).
-, 1937, A newPhotoelectric Photometer for chemical analysis. Plant Physiol. (in press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Singh, B.N., Anantha Rao, N.K. A new method for the detection of carotenoids in chlorophyll samples. Protoplasma 30, 101–103 (1938). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01613720
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01613720