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THE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS *
Author(s) -
BOLTON JAMES R.,
HALL DAVID O.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1991.tb03668.x
— Within the ideal assumptions: (1) two Photosystems for photosynthetic fixation of CO 2 , (2) all solar photons with Λ≥ 700 nm are absorbed, (3) the photon requirement is 8 for each CO 2 molecule fixed and O 2 molecule evolved and (4) the principal stable product of photosynthesis is d ‐glucose, the theoretical maximum efficiency of conversion of light to stored chemical energy in green‐plant type (oxygen‐evolving) photosynthesis in bright sunlight is calculated to be 13.0%. Thermodynamic arguments are presented which indicate that a photosynthetic system with one Photosystem would be highly unlikely to be able to drive each electron from water to evolve O 2 and reduce CO 2 . The practical maximum efficiency of photosynthesis under optimum conditions is estimated to be 8–9%.