Effect of temperature on chlorophyll stability of some subaerial blue-green algae

Chlorophyll stability index of eight subaerial blue-green algal species, collected from their natural habitats, i.e., bark of trees, soil and roof-tops and from cultures, has been determined. The algae from natural habitats showed greater chlorophyll stability compared to those algae from cultures. Among the natural algae, high chlorophyll stability was observed in the algae inhabiting adverse habitats. A slight modification in the method of Murty and Majumder (1962) for determination of chlorophyll stability index has been made. Here the total percentage loss in the amount of Chl alpha of heated sample in relation to its unheated sample has been considered as chlorophyll stability index.