MONITORING SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF BROADLEAF TREE PIGMENTS WITH A NEWLY DEVELOPED HIGH PRESSURE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD

Abstract

Leaf pigments represent a wide range of molecules fulfilling vital physiological functions in plants, from light harvest and energy storage to protective roles. They are commonly divided into three functionally and chemically different subgroups chlorophylls and derivatives, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. Numerous methods were developed to investigate pigments in plant materials (Garcia Plazaola and Becerril 2001), microorganisms (Jodlowska and Latala, 2011), and sediments (Ruth et al., 2001). Nonetheless, due to this diversity in sample matrices, chemical structures and properties, single subgroups or specific individual compounds are often targeted. In this study, we suggest a unique method to monitor seasonal pigment dynamics and eventually calibrate common spectral methods.