Improved method to track chlorophyll degradation

An analytical method capable of identifying > 30 chlorophyll-related compou nds in plant extracts has been developed. The method employs liquid chromat ography coupled to UV-vis, MS, and MS/ MS detection. It can be applied with out modification to analyze natural chlorophyll degradation products and ot her metalloporphyrines. It was successfully applied to identify chlorophyll derivatives found in rehydrated spinach powder and conventionally canned a nd Veri-Green-processed beans. In the Veri-Green-processed beans several de gradation products were identified that are zinc-containing analogues to th e chlorophyll derivatives found in vegetables after conventional canning. T hey have been characterized by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.