Influence of selected abiotic factors on the decomposition of chlorophylls

• Autorzy: Kowalewska G. , Szymczak M.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The paper presents the results of experiments to determine the influence of selected physico-chemical factors - oxygen, visible light and temperature - on the decomposition of (1) chlorophylls a, b and c, chlorophyll a derivatives and beta-carotene in acetone solution, and (2) chlorophyll a and beta-carotene in axenic cultures of the blue-green algae Anabaena variabilis. The results indicate that both in acetone extracts and in blue-green algae cultures these pigments were most sensitive to light and oxygen; temperatures of up to 25oC had no marked influence on these compounds. Under anoxia in acetone solution, the stability towards light decreased in the order chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophylls c. Chlorophyll a, moreover, was less stable than its derivatives - phaeophorbides, phaeophytins, pyrophaeophytins and steryl chlorins - but more stable than beta-carotene, in the last case also in the blue-green algae cultures. Decomposition of all the pigments proceeded mainly via the breakdown of the porphyrin macrocycle, since the decomposition products were not detected in the VIS range. On the basis of these experiments one can state that while light and oxygen may have a decisive direct influence on the distribution of chlorophylls and beta-carotene in sediments, in the natural environment, temperatures of up to 25oC may have very little immediate effect.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

chlorophyll; blue-green algae; decomposition; abiotic factors

• Wydawca: Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Oceanology ; Elsevier
• Czasopismo: Oceanologia
• Rocznik: 2001
• Tom: No. 43 (3)
• Strony: 315--328
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 17 poz., wykr.

Twórcy

autor

Kowalewska G.

autor

Szymczak M.

• Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, PL-81-712 Sopot, Poland,