The quantitative determination of chlorophylls A and B from freshwater algae without interference from degradation products

Chlorophyll was efficiently extracted from freshwater algae with dimethyl sulfoxide. The extract was chromatographed on commercially available thin-layer cellulose sheets, 2 percent methanol and 98 percent petroleum ether being used as the solvent. Chlorophylls a and b, and phaeophytins a and b were cleanly separated from each other and other degradation products. No artifacts were formed. Recoveries of chlorophylls a and b were 98 and 96 percent as measured by spectrophotometry or fluorometry.