Color Changes of Chlorophyll in Response to Changes in pH

1. Color Changes of Chlorophyll in Response to Changes in pH Go to Slide Show mode and click the button to view

2. Introduction • In the subsequent slides the background color of the slide represents the color the pigment assumes under various conditions of pH. • Under more or less neutral conditions, chlorophyll has its normal vegetable green color (think of raw green beans or broccoli)

3. Chlorophyll

4. Acidic conditions • Under acidic conditions, the magnesium atom (Mg+2) is lost and the color changes to the characteristic pheophytin olive green color.

5. No Mg+2 atom Pheophytin

6. Alkaline conditions • Under alkaline conditions the methyl and phytyl esters are removed, producing chlorophyllin which is a bright green color.

7. No ester groups Chlorophyllin

8. Chlorophyllase • Other reactions, mediated by the enzyme chlorophyllase, may result in changes in the pigment, even under conditions of frozen storage. • This is why such vegetables (green beans, broccoli, etc.) are blanched (put briefly in boiling water) before preservation by freezing. This destroys the enzyme activity.