Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am trying to find a procedure or method of measuring the amount of chlorphyll in a leaf. One that is not to advanced but at the same time not to simple. I need to know the different stages so that I can plam it out. Can anyone help me out?

Thanks

Re: How much Chlorphyll in a leaf?
by jbrazil » Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:24 pm

I was going to measure chlorphyll "a" yes there is spectrophotometer in the lab. I am doing a OU biology course and wanted to do this project. the information you gave is very helpful. Would it be possible to get a step by step guide for me to carry out this experiment.
Many thanks J Brazil

Hi,

Which chlorophyll are you planning to measure? Leaves will contain both chlorophyll a and b, which absorb light at slightly different wavelengths. The classical method involves grinding the leaves and extracting in methanol or acetone and measuring the absorbance at different wavelengths using a spectrophotometer. There are also hand-held meters available that measure the energy absorbed by a leaf that can be used for non-destructive chlorophyll measurements. Here is some additional information on measuring chlorophyll.

http://dipin.kent.edu/chlorophyll.htm

http://139.57.180.167/wiki/index.php/Ch ... easurement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophyll

Do you have access to a spectrophometer? If so, you will want to extract the chlorophyll immediately before you measure it.

What is the purpose of your project?

Donna Hardy

Hi,

Here's one more source on chlorophyll extraction from the science buddies website.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p020.shtml


Donna Hardy

I was going to measure chlorphyll "a" yes there is spectrophotometer in the lab. I am doing a OU biology course and wanted to do this project. the information you gave is very helpful. Would it be possible to get a step by step guide for me to carry out this experiment.
Many thanks J Brazil

I really value the good information you have given me , just one problem ,is there any other replacement for "cyanobacterial culture" as i cannot get it in the lab
J Brazil

Hi,

It actually shouldn't be too hard to obtain a cyanobacterial culture. Ideally, you just need to find a research lab that is working with the cyanobacteria that you want to study, and then politely ask them if they would be able to spare a tube of the cyanobacteria and media. I know that there are a few labs in Woods Hole (http://www.whoi.edu/), and actually got a culture of Synechococcus from a lab there, as they tend to be super nice. If you can't find a lab that can send over a culture, try searching for a leaf-based substitute.

Hope this helps!
Aaron Lin

Hi,

This link includes a step-by-step method for measuring chlorophyll:

http://139.57.180.167/wiki/index.php/Ch ... easurement

You can measure the chlorophyll in any green plant, if you can't get a pure culture of cyanobacteria. You could measure chlorophyll in natural water samples also. The method of sample extraction would have to be adapted depending on the sample type.

What is the purpose of your project?

Donna Hardy