Isolation of chlorophyll a from spinach leaves

An efficient method for separating chlorophyll a from spinach leaves by column chromatography and solvent extraction techniques has been developed. The purity and identity of the chlorophyll a have been confirmed by UV-Vis, IR and mass spectrometry. Yields from 100 g of freeze-dried spinach were 23 – 24 mg of chlorophyll a. KEY WORDS: Chlorophyll a, Spinach leaves, Separation, Column chromatography, Solvent extraction, Pheophytin a Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008, 22(2), 301-304.