Yes it is possible to look at the absorption spectra of different pigments after separation using paper chromatography.<\/p>\n
Separation of plant pigments using paper chromatography is a very popular lab that used to be part of the AP Biology Curriculum. It is also a very popular lab activity that is done at many colleges. This lab can be found in Advanced Biology with Vernier<\/i> (BIO-A, discontinued<\/em>)<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/experiment\/bio-a-4a_plant-pigment-chromatography\/<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n Separation of plant pigments using paper chromatography uses a solution of petroleum ether and acetone. This results in separate bands for chlorophyll a, b and other accessory pigments from leaves such as spinach.<\/p>\n These pigments are not soluble in water, but are very soluble in alcohol.<\/p>\n After performing paper chromatography on the plant pigments, let the paper dry, and then cut out your bands of interest.<\/p>\n If you are following the protocol outlined in our book, you will need 5-10 bands for each pigment to get good results with the SpectroVis Plus (SVIS-PL, discontinued<\/em>). Add each collection of bands associated with a given pigment to a small container containing 3 mL of 70% isopropal alcohol. Label the container so that you will remember which collection of bands was placed in it. Repeat this for your other bands. You should wind up with 4 bottles that contain the bands that correspond to chlorophyll b, a, and two other accessory pigments. Let the bottles sit overnight to allow the pigments to solubilize in the alcohol.<\/p>\n The Turbidity Bottles (6 bottles)<\/a> ( You can then look at the absorption spectra of each pigment. We also have a procedure for isolating plant pigments using column chromatography. This procedure can be found in our Organic Chemistry with Vernier book.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/experiment\/chem-o-12_extraction-of-spinach-pigments-and-analysis-by-electronic-absorption-spectroscopy\/<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n Please note that this protocol uses acetone as a solvent and uses a UV-VIS spectrometer.<\/p>\n Acetone will etch or dissolve standard plastic cuvettes. As such, this protocol uses the quartz cuvettes that come with the Vernier UV-VIS Spectrophotometer<\/a> (
\nMake sure you calibrate against your solvent (70% isopropyl alcohol). Then look at the absorption spectra of a given pigment by adding the solution from a given bottle to a cuvette and then collect a spectrum. Pour the solution back in the bottle or dispose of it properly. Store the run and then repeat for the next bottle \/ pigment.<\/p>\n