C1.3.4 - Separation and identification of photosynthetic pigments by chromatography - INCOMPLETE

Chromatography

A technique used to separate components of a mixture. Involves letting soluble substances spread across filter paper (or through a powder

Chlorophyll and chromatography overview

• Technique used to separate, identify and quantify the component pigments (dyes) in a mixture

• Ideal for separating biologically active molecules

• Chlorophyll - mixture of pigments - insoluble in water - extracted in organic solvent propanone (acetone)

Chromatogram

• The pattern formed on an adsorbent medium showing the result of separating the components of a mixture by chromatography
  Run on absorbent paper - paper chromatography

• powdered solid - Column chromatography

• Thin film of dried solid - thin layer chromatography

Solvent front and origin

• Point where chromatography run was stopped

• Origin - Point where pigment mixture was loaded and dried before separation