CHLOROPHYLLS
Prepared at the 31st JECFA (1987), published in FNP 38 (1988) and in FNP 52 (1992). Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 59th JECFA
(2002). An ADI 'not limited' was established at the 13th JECFA (1969)
SYNONYMS Magnesium chlorophyll, magnesium phaeophytin, CI Natural Green 3; C.I. (1975) No. 75810; INS No. 140
DEFINITION Obtained by solvent extraction of grass, lucerne, nettle and other plant material; during the subsequent removal of solvent, the naturally present coordinated magnesium may be wholly or partly removed from the chlorophylls to give the corresponding phaeophytins; the principal colouring matters are the phaeophytins and magnesium chlorophylls; the extracted product, from which the solvent has been removed, contains other pigments such as carotenoids as well as oils, fats and waxes derived from the source material.
Only the following solvents may be used for the extraction: acetone, dichloromethane, methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol and hexane.
Chemical names The major colouring principles are: Phytyl (132R,17S,18S)-3-(8-ethyl-132-methoxycarbonyl-2,7,12,18-tetramethyl-13'-oxo-3-vinyl-131-132-17,18-tetrahydrocyclopenta [at]-prophylrin-17-yl)propionate, (Pheophytin a), or as the magnesium complex (Chlorophyll a). Phytyl (132
R,17S,18S)-3-(8-ethyl-7-formyl-132-methoxycarbonyl-2,12,18-trimethyl-13'-oxo-3-vinyl-131-132-17,18-tetrahydro-cyclopenta [at]-prophylrin-17-yl)propionate, (Pheophytin b), or as the magnesium complex (Chlorophyll b).
C.A.S. number Phaeophytin a, Magnesium complex: 479-61-8
Phaeophytin b, Magnesium complex: 519-62-0
Formula weight Phaeophytin a magnesium complex (Chlorophyll a) 893.51
Phaeophytin a 871.22
Phaeophytin b magnesium complex (Chlorophyll b) 907.49
Phaeophytin b 885.20
Assay Content of total combined phaeophytins and their magnesium complexes is not less than 10%.
DESCRIPTION Waxy solid ranging in colour from olive green to dark green depending on the content of co-ordinated magnesium.
FUNCTIONAL USES Colour
