Isolation of chlorophylls a and b from spinach by counter-current chromatography
1Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 435 Weniger Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. carole.jubert@oregonstate.edu
Abstract:
A method for the isolation of chlorophylls from spinach by counter-current chromatography was developed. An initial extraction protocol was devised to avoid the notorious sensitivity of chlorophylls to degradation by light, heat, oxygen, acids and bases. Further purification and separation of chlorophylls a and b were achieved using counter-current chromatography. Chlorophyll structures and purities were established by HPLC, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Purity was estimated to be >95% (100% by HPLC). Typical yields from 30g of freeze-dried spinach were 300mg of chlorophyll a and 100mg of chlorophyll b.
Related Concept Videos
Principles Of Column Chromatography
Chromatography: Introduction
The phase in which the compounds linger or on which the compounds adsorb is called the stationary phase, whereas the mobile phase is the solvent that carries the solutes to be analyzed. In traditional column chromatography, the mixture flows through the stationary phase, and the compounds partition between the stationary and mobile phases...
Chromatographic Methods: Classification
Chromatographic techniques are typically named by...
Types Of Column Chromatography
Gel Filtration Chromatography
When the...
Diffusion on Chromatography Columns
Longitudinal diffusion occurs when the solute molecules in the mobile phase diffuse from the more concentrated center of the chromatographic band to the more dilute regions on either side, both towards and against the flow direction. This...
Optimizing Chromatographic Separations
Band broadening refers to spreading solute bands as they travel through the column. This broadening can impact resolution. Plate height (H) represents the length required for one theoretical plate. A lower plate height corresponds to...

