2010/08/19 by Min Chen, Martin Schliep, Robert D. Willows +3 · 3 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Energy · Medicine · #Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms #Algal biology and biofuel production #Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1191127
openalex publication_date 2010/08/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Chlorophylls are essential for light-harvesting and energy transduction in photosynthesis. Four chemically distinct varieties have been known for the past 60 years. Here we report isolation of a fifth, which we designate chlorophyll f. Its in vitro absorption (706 nanometers) and fluorescence (722 nanometers) maxima are red-shifted compared to all other chlorophylls from oxygenic phototrophs. On the basis of the optical, mass, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, we propose that chlorophyll f is [2-formyl]-chlorophyll a (C55H70O6N4Mg). This finding suggests that oxygenic photosynthesis can be extended further into the infrared region and may open associated bioenergy applications.