DIMETHYLSULFOXIDE METHOD FOR THE EXTRACTION OF CHLOROPHYLL-A AND CHLOROPHYLL-B FROM THE LEAVES OF WHEAT, FIELD BEAN, DWARF BAMBOO, AND OAK

When dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was used as the extraction solvent for t he leaves of wheat and field bean, a large increase in the extraction of chlorophyll (Chi) a was observed in comparison with 80 % acetone or 96 % ethanol; however, the extraction of Chi b decreased by about one half. The leaf physical and morphological characteristics were import ant factors for the extraction of Chi by DMSO. From the evaluation of the physical disruption degree of the leaf tissue on dwarf bamboo and oak, maceration of leaf tissues was essential for extraction, especial ly of Chi b. As, using the maceration, the amount of extracted Chi b w as about 2.0 times higher in wheat and dwarf bamboo, and 1.5 and 1.1 t imes higher in field bean and oak, respectively, the Chi content of hi gher plants determined by the non-destructive DMSO method should be re evaluated, particularly in graminoids such as wheat and dwarf bamboo.