“Supermarket Column Chromatography of Leaf Pigments” revisited : simple and ecofriendly separation of plant carotenoids, chlorophylls and flavonoids from green and red leaves

Abstract

A simple and ecofriendly procedure was developed in order to prepare extracts from red and green leaves. This procedure enables the separation of yellow, green and red band pigments and optimizes the previously reported Baking Soda “Supermarket Column”. The same extract also led to a novel and colorful potato starch column, which can efficiently separate β-carotene, xanthophylls, chlorophylls a and b, and flavonoids. Thus, two simple and attractive “supermarket columns” are presented that may be implemented either in university or high-school practical classes. The challenges associated with separation of these pigments, which have diverse physical and chemical properties, will improve the expected learning outcomes of these activities.