Publisher Summary This chapter presents detailed information on chlorophylls and carotenoids to give practical directions toward their quantitative isolation and determination in extracts from leaves, chloroplasts, thylakoid particles, and pigment proteins. The chapter focuses on the spectral characteristics and absorption coefficients of chlorophylls, pheophytins, and carotenoids, which are the basis for establishing equations to quantitatively determine them. Therefore, the specific absorption coefficients of the pigments are re-evaluated. This is achieved by using a two-beam spectrophotometer of the new generation, which allows programmed automatic recording and printing out of the proper wavelengths and absorbancy values. Several procedures have been developed for the separation of the photosynthetic pigments, including column (CC), paper (PC), and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). All chloroplast carotenoids exhibit a typical absorption spectrum that is characterized by three absorption maxima (violaxanthin, neoxanthin) or two maxima with one shoulder (lutein and β-carotene) in the blue spectral region.

Chlorophylls and carotenoids: Pigments of photosynthetic biomembranes

Relationships between leaf pigment content and spectral reflectance across a wide range of species, leaf structures and developmental stages

Use of a green channel in remote sensing of global vegetation from EOS- MODIS

https://www.calmit.unl.edu/people/agitelson2/pdf/06_JPP-2003.pdf

Relationships between leaf chlorophyll content and spectral reflectance and algorithms for non-destructive chlorophyll assessment in higher plant leaves

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1151&context=natrespapers

Novel algorithms for remote estimation of vegetation fraction

In vivo reflection spectra of intact bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris) were measured between 400 and 800  nm under remote sensing conditions (illumination with white light, detection of a narrow angle of the reflected light) using the VIRAF spectrometer. The leaves with colours from yellow to green were chosen at different times during light-induced greening. The colours of the leaves were characterized by the chromaticity coordinates according to CIE 1931 calculated from the reflection spectra. The influence of the absorption of chlorophyll—the main pigment of green leaves—on the reflection spectrum of leaves is outlined. The shape of the in vivo reflection spectra is interpreted taking into account (a)the formation of pigment-protein complexes, (b) the sieve effect and the detour effect, as well as (c) the reflection, refraction and scattering of light inside the leaf tissue. Reflection signals at several distinct wavelengths and their ratios as well as the inflection point of the reflection ris...

In vivo spectroscopy and internal optics of leaves as basis for remote sensing of vegetation

Spectrometer for fast measurements of in vivo reflectance, absorptance, and fluorescence in the visible and near-infrared

Photoacoustic spectra were measured at chopping frequencies of the excitation light at 22 and 515 Hz in order to detect differences between needles from healthy and damaged conifers (Abies alba Mill, and Picea abies Karst.) with respect to pigment distribution and possibly also to photosynthetic activity. Fully green needles of healthy trees exhibit photoacoustic spectra at 22 Hz with a maximum in the red absorption region of the chlorophyll. This maximum is lost with increasing damage to needles and chlorophyll breakdown. The photoacoustic spectra at 22 Hz of the damaged needles therefore are characterized by a higher signal in the blue-light region as compared to that in the red-light region. This can be quantified by forming the ratio of the photoacoustic signals at 675 and 475 nm (ratio PA 675/475). The needles of the damaged trees possess a lower photosynthetic activity, as seen from the CO2 fixation rate and the variable fluorescence (Rfd-values). It is assumed that the changes in the PA-spectra of the needles from damaged trees are the result of this decline of the photosynthetic apparatus and its function. In contrast to the PA-spectrum at 22 Hz the PA-spectra at 515 Hz, where the PA-signals primarily emanate from the epidermal layer, exhibit a different shape with a maximum near 550 nm. In the needles from the damaged trees the PA-signals are higher, particularly in this maximum range of the spectrum, than those of fully green needles from healthy trees.

Photoacoustic spectra of needles as an indicator of the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus of healthy and damaged conifers

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel4/121/3531/00688902.pdf

E. Nagel

Papers

In vivo spectroscopy and internal optics of leaves as basis for remote sensing of vegetation

Spectrometer for fast measurements of in vivo reflectance, absorptance, and fluorescence in the visible and near-infrared

Photoacoustic spectra of needles as an indicator of the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus of healthy and damaged conifers

Interpretation Of Reflectance Spectra Of Terrestrial Vegetation Based On Specifical Plant Test Systems

In vivo photoacoustic spectra of herbicide-treated bean leaves