Chlorophyll b

Chemical Properties

Chlorophyll b is Light, silvery, metallic element.

Uses

Chlorophyll b is a photosynthetic pigment used in the absorption of light energy. Chlorophyl b is involved in photosynthesis and absorbs primarily blue light.

Uses

Extends the absorption spectrum of light-harvesting complexes LHC-I and LHC-II above 700 nm

Uses

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Definition

Chlorophyll b is a species that is generally characteristic of higher plants and is an accessory chlorophyll that occurs in green algae. Its salts are essential in nutrition, being required for the activity of many enzymes, especially those concerned with oxidative phosphorylation. It is a component of both intra- and extracellular fluids and is excreted in the urine and feces.

General Description

Chlorophyll b is one of the chlorophyll pigments that impart leaves their green color. Chlorophyll is a Greek name withchlorósmeaning green andphyllonmeaning leaf. It is present in peripheral antenna complexes along with chlorophyll a. The amount of chlorophyll b in spinach is found to be lesser than chlorophyll a.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Chlorophyll b undergoes breakdown to form pheophytin b by the enzyme chlorophyllase. This causes a change in its color from green to olive-brown. It is involved in the harvesting of light energy during the process of photosynthesis and its subsequent conversion to chemical energy. Along with chlorophyll a, it plays a key role in the ability of a plant to adapt to different light intensities.

Purification Methods

It forms red-black hexagonal bipyramids or four-sided plates from dilute EtOH and has been recrystallised from CHCl3/MeOH. It is soluble in MeOH, EtOH, EtOAc and insoluble in pet ether. [Dougherty et al. J Am Chem Soc 88 5037 1966, Beilstein 26 III/IV 3787.]