The Metabolism and Potential Bioactivity of Chlorophyll and Metallo-chlorophyll Derivatives in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Chlorophyll is the vivid chromophore which imparts the green color to plant leaves, and is consumed by humans through green vegetables. The basic porphyrin structure of chlorophyll binds magnesium in plants, but can bind different divalent metals (e.g., copper, zinc, iron) facilitated by food processing techniques and/or chemical synthesis. This review covers the known elements of chlorophyll and metallo-chlorophyll absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion in vitro and in vivo. The review discusses what is understood about the ability of these novel metallo-chlorophyll derivatives to deliver essential metals. This review also detail chlorophyll and metallo-chlorophyll toxin binding properties which largely occur during digestion, focusing on toxins including dioxins, heterocyclic aromatic amines, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and aflatoxin. Finally, the article highlights the gaps in the understanding of the metabolism and metal and toxin-binding bioactivity of this family of molecules.

Automated summary

Chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of plant leaves and can be consumed through green vegetables. Metallo-chlorophyll derivatives have the ability to deliver essential metals and bind toxins, primarily during digestion. There are still gaps in understanding the metabolism and bioactivity of metal and toxin-binding properties of this family of molecules.