Open AccessComparison of Three Solvent Systems for Extraction of Chlorophyll a from Fish Pond Phytoplankton Communities
Author(s) -
Lloyd Steven W.,
Tucker Craig S.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1988.tb01043.x
Subject(s) - chloroform , methanol , acetone , extraction (chemistry) , solvent , biology , phytoplankton , coefficient of variation , chlorophyll , chlorophyll a , chromatography , chemistry , botany , nutrient , ecology , organic chemistry , biochemistry
Chloroform‐methanol (2:1 v/v), absolute methanol, and 90% acetone were evaluated for their effectiveness as extractants of chlorophyll a from samples of phytoplankton communities collected from catfish ponds. Chloroform‐methanol consistently extracted more chlorophyll a than either 90% acetone or methanol. Precision for the methanol extraction was also unacceptably low, with an average coefficient of variation of 17%. Average coefficients of variation for the chloroform‐methanol and 90% acetone extraction procedures were 6 and 5%, respectively. Filtered samples should be steeped in chloroform‐methanol for at least 4 h to obtain maximum chlorophyll extraction, and the addition of MgCO 3 to the extractant as a buffer is not necessary.