Skip to main content
Log in

HPLC determination of phytoplankton pigments using N,N-dimethylformamide

  • Short Contribution
  • Published:
Journal of Oceanography Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The suitability of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as an extractant for the standard reverse-phase HPLC method was examined using algal cultures. Good pigment separations and recovery were achieved with 20% (volume %) addition of an ion-pairing solution in an injection. While slight amounts of degradation products of chlorophylla, i.e., chlorophyllidea, allomeric and epimeric forms, were produced, adequate attention to filtration and extraction prevents the formation of degradation products, confining them to an acceptable level. Because of its strong extractability, which expedites the extraction process, DMF is an efficient solvent for HPLC analysis of phytoplankton pigments.

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.

References

  • Barrett, J. and S. W. Jeffrey (1971): A note on the occurrence of chlorophyllase in marine algae.J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol.,7, 252–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gieskes, W. W. C. (1991): Algal pigment fingerprints: Clue to taxon-specific abundance, productivity and degradation of phytoplankton in seas and oceans. p. 61–99. InParticle Analysis in Oceanography, ed. by S. Demers, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillard, R. R. L. and J. H. Ryther (1962): Studies of marine planktonic diatoms. I.Cyclotella nana Hustedt andDetonula confervacea (Cleve) gran.Can. J Microbiol.,8, 229–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey, S. W. and G. M. Hallegraeff (1987): Chlorophyllase distribution in ten classes of phytoplankton: a problem for chlorophyll analysis.Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.,35, 293–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, W. K. W. (1986). Experimental approaches to field measurements: methods and interpretation. p. 251–286 InPhotosynthetic Picoplankton, ed. by T. Platt and W. K. W. Li,Can. Bull. Fish. Aquat. Sci.,214, Dept. Fish and Ocean, Ottawa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mantoura, R. F. C. and C. A. Llewellyn (1983): The rapid determination of algal chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments and their breakdown products in natural waters by reversephase high-performance liquid chromatography.Anal. Chim, Acta,151, 297–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mantoura, R. F. C., S. W. Wright, S. W. Jeffrey, R. G. Barlow and D. E. Cummings (1997): Filtration and storage of pigments from microalgae. p. 283–305. InPhytoplankton Pigments in Oceanography, ed. by S. W. Jeffrey, R. F. C. Mantoura and S. W. Wright, Monographs on oceanographic methodology UNESCO, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moran, R. and D. Porath (1980): Chlorophyll determination in intact tissues using N,N-dimethylformamide.Plant Physiol.,65, 478–479.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Speziale, B. J., S. P. Schreiner, P. A. Giammatteo and J. E. Schindler (1984): Comparison of N,N-dimethylformamide, dimenthylsulfoxide, and acetone for extraction of phytoplankton chlorophyll.Can. J Fish. Aquat. Sci.,41, 1519–1522.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki, R. and Y. Fujita (1986): Chlorophyll decomposition inSkeletonema costatum: a problem in chlorophyll determination of water samples.Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser.,28, 81–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki, R. and T. Ishimaru (1990): An Improved method for the determination of phytoplankton chlorophyll using N,N-dimethylformamide.J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan,46, 190–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki, R., M. Takahashi, K. Furuya and T. Ishimaru (1993): Simplified technique for the rapid determination of phytoplankton pigments by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.J. Oceanogr.,49, 571–580.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, T., H. Mazaki and M. Nakazato (1987): Chlorophylla/a′ epimerization in organic solvents.Biochim. Biophys. Acta,892, 197–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, S. W., S. W. Jeffrey, r. F. C. Mantoura, C. A. Llewellyn, T. Bjornland, D. Repeta and N. Welschmeyer (1991): Improved HPLC method for the analysis of chlorophylls and carotenoids from marine phytoplankton.Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.,77, 183–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, S. W., S. W. Jeffrey and R. F. C. Mantoura (1997): Evaluation of methods and solvents for pigment extraction. p. 261–282. InPhytoplankton Pigments in Oceanography, ed. by S. W. Jeffrey, R. F. C. Mantoura and S. W. Wright, Monographs on oceanographic methodology, UNESCO, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zapata, M., A. M. Ayala, J. M. Franco and J. L. Garrido (1987): Separation of chlorophylls and their degradation products in marine phytoplankton by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.Chromatogr.,23, 26–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Furuya, K., Hayashi, M. & Yabushita, Y. HPLC determination of phytoplankton pigments using N,N-dimethylformamide. J Oceanogr 54, 199–203 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02751695

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02751695

Keywords

Navigation