Spectroscopy of bacterial chlorophylls separated by paper and cellulose column chromatography

Methods based on paper and cellulose column chromatography are described for the rapid separation of small quantities of bacteriochlorophyll and Chlorobium chlorophyll. Spectral absorption curves are given as evidence of the efficiency of the methods to separate pure products. Curves are given for bacteriochlorophyll in ethyl ether and in ethanol. It was found that bacteriochlorophyll could be stored at −10 ° without much deterioration, but it was necessary to saturate the solvents with H 2 S to prevent decomposition of the chlorophyll during purification. Chlorobium chlorophyll has very different chromatographic properties from chlorophyll a, but similar spectroscopic properties. The chlorophyll in the purple sulfur bacteria and that in the green sulfur bacteria were shown to be different pigments.