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Using DMSO for chlorophyll spectroscopy

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Abstract

DMSO (dimethyl sulphoxide, (CH3)2SO) is an alternative solvent for spectroscopic assay of chlorophylls (Chls) but has mainly been used on Chl a & b organisms. Here, we develop algorithms for the estimation of Chl a, b & c1c2, and d in DMSO solvent. The common unicellular green alga Chlorella sp. (Chl a & b) is used as an example of an oxygenic photo-organism with Chl a as the primary photosynthetic pigment and Chl b as the accessory Chl. The cyanobacterium Synechococcus is used as an example of organisms containing only Chl a. The diatom Chaetoceros sp. is used as the representative Chl a & c1c2 organism. The unusual chlorobacterium Acaryochloris marina has Chl d & a. Algorithms for use on mixed phytoplankton and algal mats (Chl a, b & c) were also developed. The algorithms for DMSO solvent are compared to those developed for 90% acetone as the benchmark solvent. DMSO solvent offers the advantages of low volatility, low toxicity, low flammability, biodegradability, and ease of transport and is an effective extractant of chlorophylls. However, there appear to be significant storage problems with DMSO extracts of chlorophylls because of its high freezing point (+18.4°C) and probable breakdown in chlorophylls in DMSO over several days.

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Acknowledgements

The Faculty of Environment and Technology of Prince of Songkla University-Phuket provided access to the facilities for the project as part of its policy of promoting the aquaculture industry in Southern Thailand. Andaman Environment and Natural Disaster Research Centre (ANED) also provided facilities and support. Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC), Phuket, Thailand, kindly provided the cultures of Chlorella vulgaris and Chaetoceros sp.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Technology and Environment, Prince of Songkla University - Phuket, Kathu, Phuket, 83120, Thailand

    Raymond J. Ritchie, Suhailar Sma-Air & Sornsiri Phongphattarawat

  2. Andaman Environment and Natural Disaster Research Centre, Prince of Songkla University - Phuket, Kathu, Phuket, 83120, Thailand

    Raymond J. Ritchie

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  1. Raymond J. Ritchie
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  2. Suhailar Sma-Air
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  3. Sornsiri Phongphattarawat
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Correspondence to Raymond J. Ritchie.

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Ritchie, R.J., Sma-Air, S. & Phongphattarawat, S. Using DMSO for chlorophyll spectroscopy. J Appl Phycol 33, 2047–2055 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02438-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02438-8

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