Quantification of chlorophyll in different leaves : A case of Bidens pilosa

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyze the changes in chlorophyll contents, in green Ssere leaves and all green leaves stored under different conditions and suggest the most suitable way and length of green Bidens pilosa leaves’ storage A secondary purpose was to evaluate the possibility of using chlorophyll content as an indicator of green Bidens pilosa medicinal strength freshness, so due to the changes in chlorophyll contents, the life span could be dated on the product. 03 g of each collected green Bidens pilosa leaves crushed in 100 mls of 80% acetone, chlorophyll contents were measured using U.V Vis spectrophotometry. Chlorophyll absorbance was measured at wave length of 663nm and 645 nm. The absorbance of each solution was recorded at these wave lengths and chlorophyll a and b concentrations were calculated and hence total chlorophyll ranged from 1.13.to 2.16 mg/ml of green Bidens pilosa leaves prior to freshness and storage. Green fresh extracts chlorophyll concentrations was 2.16 mg/ml, for 7 days extract 1.43mg/ml and finally for 14 days extracts chlorophyll concentration was 1.13 mg/ml which indicated that an increased number of days in extractions caused a decrease in the chlorophyll concentrations. More so from the study findings, it has been found out that for fresh green Bidens pilosa leaves extracts chlorophyll concentration 2.16 mg/ml which was the highest followed by 1.43 mg/ml and 1.13 mg/ml for 7 days and 14 days extracts respectively so better use fresh extracts Bidens pilosa leaves for high yields of chlorophyll extractions. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the possibility of using chlorophyll contents as indicator of green Bidens pilosa medicinal strength freshness and indeed its true from the findings that was to say 2.16mg/ml for fresh, 1.43 mg/ml for 7 days and 1.13mg/ml for 14 days extracts in which there was a deterioration/decrease in chlorophyll concentration so due to the changes in chlorophyll contents, the life span could be dated on the product and hence very active when very fresh.