Organic chlorophylls

Green sulfur and nonsulfur bacteria. In these organisms chlorophylls are present in rodlike particles... 

All organisms seem to have an absolute need for magnesium. In plants, the magnesium complex chlorophyll is the prime agent in photosynthesis. In animals, magnesium functions as an enzyme activator the enzyme which catalyses the ATP hydrolysis mentioned above is an important example. 

Organic magnesium is important in both plant and animal life. Chlorophylls are magnesium-centered perphyrins. 

Porphyrins and chlorophylls are the most widespread natural pigments. They are associated with the energy-converting processes of respiration and photosynthesis in living organisms, and the synthesis of specific porphyrin derivatives is often motivated by the desire to perform similar processes in the test tube. The structurally and biosynthetically related corrins (e.g. vitamin B,j) catalyze alkylations and rearrangements of carbon skeletons via organocobalt intermediates. The biosyntheses of these chromophores are also of topical interest. 

Solvent extraction removes chlorophyll and other pigments to give a light-colored product but increases processing costs. Furthermore, solvent extraction removes p-carotene and reduces vitamin A activity (89) (see Terpenoids Vitamins). Supercritical CO2 extraction at 30 and 70 MPa (4,350 and 10,150 psi) and 40°C removed 90 and 70% carotene and lutein, respectively, from alfalfa LPC (96). This process avoids organic solvent residues and recovers valuable by-products. 

Fungi Simple vegetative bodies from which reproductive structures are elaborated. The fungi contain no chlorophyll and therefore require sources of complex organic molecules. Many species grow on dead organic materials and others live as parasites. 

In the post-World War II years, synthesis attained a different level of sophistication partly as a result of the confluence of five stimuli (1) the formulation of detailed electronic mechanisms for the fundamental organic reactions, (2) the introduction of conformational analysis of organic structures and transition states based on stereochemical principles, (3) the development of spectroscopic and other physical methods for structural analysis, (4) the use of chromatographic methods of analysis and separation, and (5) the discovery and application of new selective chemical reagents. As a result, the period 1945 to 1960 encompassed the synthesis of such complex molecules as vitamin A (O. Isler, 1949), cortisone (R. Woodward, R. Robinson, 1951), strychnine (R. Woodward, 1954), cedrol (G. Stork, 1955), morphine (M. Gates, 1956), reserpine (R. Woodward, 1956), penicillin V (J. Sheehan, 1957), colchicine (A. Eschenmoser, 1959), and chlorophyll (R. Woodward, 1960) (page 5). ... 

Fungus. simple organism that contains no chlorophyll, which may consist of one cell or of many cellular filaments called hyphae. If allowed to grow in HVAC equipment it may cause allergic reactions. 

Detergent treatment of a suspension of thylakoids dissolves the membranes, releasing complexes containing both chlorophyll and protein. These chlorophyll-protein complexes represent integral components of the thylakoid membrane, and their organization reflects their roles as either light-harvesting com-... 

Structural studies related to photosynthesis a model for chlorophyll aggregates in photosynthetic organisms. C. E. Strouse, Prog. Inorg. Chem., 1976, 21,159-177 (31). 

Photoautotrophic organisms, such as algae, cyanobacteria, and plants, all contain chlorophyll a and obtain energy by a process known as oxygenic photosynthesis. The overall chemical reaction of this process is ... 

This chapter brings together information concerning structural features, spectral characteristics, distributions, and functions of major chlorophylls in photosynthetic organisms. Other topics discussed include biosynthesis and degradation in senescent plants and ripening fruits and potential biological properties of chlorophylls. 

Esterification increases the lipophilic character of the pigments that has been recogiuzed as an important factor for interactions with the peptide chains of proteins. The hydrolysis of this side chain results in chlorophyllides and the concomitant removal of the Mg + ion in pheophorbides. Only a Umited number of natural chlorophylls in plants and photosynthetic organisms has been described and is well... 

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