Comparison of Three Solvent Systems for Extraction of Chlorophyll a from Fish Pond Phytoplankton Communities

Abstract

AbstractChloroform‐methanol (2:1 v/v), absolute methanol, and 90% acetone were evaluated for their effectiveness as extractants of chlorophyll a from samples of phytoplankton communities collected from catfish ponds. Chloroform‐methanol consistently extracted more chlorophyll a than either 90% acetone or methanol. Precision for the methanol extraction was also unacceptably low, with an average coefficient of variation of 17%. Average coefficients of variation for the chloroform‐methanol and 90% acetone extraction procedures were 6 and 5%, respectively. Filtered samples should be steeped in chloroform‐methanol for at least 4 h to obtain maximum chlorophyll extraction, and the addition of MgCO3 to the extractant as a buffer is not necessary.