Characterization of protochlorophyllide and protochlorophyllide esters in roots of dark‐grown plants

Abstract

The protochlorophyll pools of roots of dark‐grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Walde), maize (Zea mays L. cv. Goldcrest) and wrinkledseeded pea (Pisum sativum L. ssp. sativurh cv. Kelvedon Wonder) were investigated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and low temperature fluorescence spectroscopy. All roots contained protochlorophyllide and esterified protochlorophyllides (protochlorophylls) but with considerably larger relative amounts of the latter compared with etiolated leaves. The alcohol moieties of the 4 detected protochlorophylls were geranylgeraniol (GG), dihydrogeranylgeraniol (DHGG), tetrahydrogeranylgeraniol (THGG) and phytol. The relative amounts of the different protochlorophylls varied between the species. Protochlorophyllide and the 4 protochlorophylls all contained monovinyl forms. The divinyl forms could not be detected by our instruments. Wrinkledseeded pea contained in addition chlorophyll a, some unidentified chlorophylls and negligible amounts of chlorophyllide. Small amounts of carotenoids were found in roots of all investigated species. The carotenoids were the same as those found in green or etiolated leaves, but present in different relative amounts.