[Chlorophyll-photosensitized reduction of methyl red in detergent solutions]

Chlorophyll-photosensitized reduction of methylene red with ascorbic acid was studied in micellar solutions of triton X-100. The maximum value of photosensitization was observed in the region 0.1% of triton, approximating the critical concentration of micelleformation. The rate of photoreduction of methylene red was strongly influenced by the medium pH, the optimal pH value being 4.8. The specific activity of chlorophyll in the course of photosensitization was shown to depend on its concentration. Specific activity of the monomeric form of chlorophylls a and b (5.3 and 3.2 s-1 respectively) was estimated.