Colorless chlorophyll catabolites

RCC is very unstable and rapidly reduced to a primary fluorescent chlorophyll catabolite (pFCC) by red chlorophyll catabolite reductase (RCCR). In subsequent steps pFcc is converted to different fluorescent chlorophyll catabolites (FCCs). These chemically rather labile compounds are further converted into colorless nonfluorescing chlorophyll catabolites (NCCs) by a nonenzymatic deconjugation of the four... 

Oberhuber, M. et al.. Breakdown of chlorophyll A nonenzymatic reaction accounts for the formation of the colorless nonfluorescent chlorophyll catabolites, PNAS, 100, 6910, 2003. 

The development and reports of methods for colorless chlorophyll derivative (RCCs, FCCs, and NCCs) analysis are relatively recent and the structures of the compounds are being elucidated by deduction from their chromatographic behaviors, spectral characteristics (UV-Vis absorbance spectra), mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. The main obstacle is that these compounds do not accumulate in appreciable quantities in situ and, moreover, there are no standards for them. The determination of the enzymatic activities of red chlorophyll catabolite reductase (RCCR) and pheophorbide a monoxygenase (PAO) also helps to monitor the appearance of colorless derivatives since they are the key enzymes responsible for the loss of green color. ... 

Muller T, Ulrich M, Ongania KH, Krautler B (2007) Colorless and Nonfluorescent Chlorophyll Catabolites are Identified in Ripening Fruit and are Effective Antioxidants. Angew Chem Int Ed 46 8699... 

Oberhuber M, Berghold J, Breuker K, Hortensteiner S, Krautler B (2003) Breakdown of Chlorophyll A Nonenzymatic Reaction Accounts for the Formation of the Colorless Nonfluorescent Chlorophyll Catabolites. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100 6910... 

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