Effects of light and lipids on chlorophyll degradation

Stability of chlorophylls was studied in a system of paraffin oil with added oleic acid or triolein under 1,700 lx and in the dark. Chlorophyll contents were determined using HPLC. Sample oxidation was evaluated using the headspace oxygen content based on GC and the peroxide value. The chlorophyll content decreased with time and was higher and decreased faster under light than in the dark. Singlet oxygen was involved in chlorophyll degradation under light. Chlorophyll degradation was lower and slower in samples with added lipids than in samples without lipids. Protection of chlorophyll from photodegradation was greater using triolein than using oleic acid. Oxidation was slightly higher in samples with added lipids than in samples without lipids, however, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between samples with added oleic acid or triolein. Decreased chlorophyll degradation under light by lipids is due to competition between lipids and chlorophyll for singlet oxygen.