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Elements Of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in plants which is absolutely central in the process of photosynthesis. Located within the membrane of the chloroplasts, small green organelles within plant cells, it has light-absorbing properties. Its role is to initiate photosynthesis, where solar energy is harnessed, and to convert carbon dioxide and water to glucose and other carbohydrates, which can be absorbed by the plants to initiate growth and reproduction.

Structure of Chlorophyll
- Chlorophyll is a large molecule, which is composed of carbon, hydrogen, magnesium and oxygen. Chlorophyll contains a porphyrin ring basic structures, which is arranged around a central atom. Its structure shows remarkable similarity to the heme group contained within hemoglobin. However, in chlorophyll the central atom is magnesium, compared to iron in the heme group.
Chemical Composition
- Chlorophyll contains enzymes, which are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions and lectins, which are sugar binding proteins with a tendency to bind with high specificity to their functional groups. It also contains superoxide dismutase, a class of enzymes present in all organisms which catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
Nutrient Composition
- Chlorophyll is made up of a large amount of vitamins and minerals, including copper, calcium, iron, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorous, potassium, protein, sodium, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and B Complex vitamins.
Medical Applications
- Chlorophyll was first suspected of playing a vital role in the function of plants when scientist Hans Miller observed the similarity between chlorophyll and hemin, which combines with protein to form hemoglobin. This similarity led scientists Putek and Minot to use chlorophyll in the treatment of rare cases of anemia, and its injection yielded positive results. Administering chlorophyll in the treatment of chronic hypochromic anemia was found to boost haemoglobin levels in the patient and induce a sense of well being.

Nature