Question

What "parameters" could be changed in this experiment to improve separation? This is for isolation of chlorophyll.

Answer 1

For the isolation of chlorophyll from spinack leaves, we use acetone and hexane for isolation of compound. The extraction of chlorophyll from spinanck leaves must be carried out number of times, until the color of leaves left is very pale green. It is suggested to use a saturated brine solution for washing the organic layer thus collected and If emulsion is formed add more brine to break the emulsion.

These would improve the isolation of chlorophyll from leaves. For separation a mixture of 3 : 7 acetone and hexane is preferred for best separation of chlorphyll a and chlorophyll b. chlorophyll being more polar sticks onto the stationary phase while chlorophyll a moves faster.