A method of storage of leaf samples for chlorophyll analysis

Abstract

In the course of experiments with leaf samples of pumpkin, sunflower, leafy fodder kale, sugar beet, tobacco, clover and begonia several, methods of storing material were compared with the object of determining the amount of chlorophyll (a+b) after 1 to 3 months. Chlorophyll analyses checked by paper chromatography provided evidence that the most reliable method of serial analyses is the following: Leaf discs are heated in very pure anhydrous acetone to its boiling point (with some MgCO3 present), rapidly closed with a paraffin stopper and then kept in the dark at temperatures just above 0°C. 50 leaf samples can thus be prepared for storage within 30 minutes. The decrease in total chlorophyll (a+b) content after 28 days of storage does not exceed 5%, after 84 days of storage 10% of the initial value. Chemical conversions of chlorophyll take place here which do not appreciably affect the spectrum of the acetone extract. The method cannot be applied to plants with acid-reacting cell juice (begonia, red varieties of fodder kale and the like). Other practicable methods of storage (a different storage in acetone, storage of fresh samples at +2 to +3°C, drying at +50°C, storage at laboratory temperature) bring about more serious destruction of the pigments.