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Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Spinach Extracts: A Modular, Inexpensive, and Bench-Friendly Protocol

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Title: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Spinach Extracts: A Modular, Inexpensive, and Bench-Friendly Protocol
Language: English
Authors: Melissa D'Ascenzio (ORCID 0000-0003-2449-6461), Alan Black, Bethan Forrest, John Pokora
Source: Journal of Chemical Education. 2025 102(12):5299-5308.
Availability: Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Science Education, Chemistry, Plants (Botany), Spectroscopy, Problem Solving, Models, Laboratory Experiments, Laboratory Procedures
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00920
ISSN: 0021-9584
1938-1328
Abstract: The chromatographic separation of plant pigments is one of the most popular and visually appealing experiments encountered by young scientists when they are introduced to the principles of analytical chemistry. As such, it has found widespread application in schools, public engagement activities, and undergraduate laboratories. However, most of the methods used in these contexts suffer from a range of limitations, including the difficulty of separating and isolating individual pigments when using paper-based or thin layer chromatography techniques or the need for specialized spaces in order to contain volatile, harmful solvents and dry silica powder. This new modular laboratory protocol has been developed following green chemistry principles and employs a series of inexpensive, bench-friendly methods. The protocol allows for the separation and quantitation of chlorophyll pigments in plant extracts through the use of prepacked, inexpensive reversed-phase chromatography columns and UV-vis spectrophotometry. A synthetic component is added to the more traditional separation experiments through the development of the bench-friendly synthesis of coloring agent E141, a chlorophyll-derived food dye. The protocol embeds analytical and mathematical components that encourage students to engage in problem solving activities and mathematical modeling early on in their studies.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1491079
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Spinach Extracts: A Modular, Inexpensive, and Bench-Friendly Protocol
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Melissa+D'Ascenzio%22">Melissa D'Ascenzio</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2449-6461">0000-0003-2449-6461</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alan+Black%22">Alan Black</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bethan+Forrest%22">Bethan Forrest</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22John+Pokora%22">John Pokora</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Chemical+Education%22"><i>Journal of Chemical Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 102(12):5299-5308.
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  Data: Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
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  Data: The chromatographic separation of plant pigments is one of the most popular and visually appealing experiments encountered by young scientists when they are introduced to the principles of analytical chemistry. As such, it has found widespread application in schools, public engagement activities, and undergraduate laboratories. However, most of the methods used in these contexts suffer from a range of limitations, including the difficulty of separating and isolating individual pigments when using paper-based or thin layer chromatography techniques or the need for specialized spaces in order to contain volatile, harmful solvents and dry silica powder. This new modular laboratory protocol has been developed following green chemistry principles and employs a series of inexpensive, bench-friendly methods. The protocol allows for the separation and quantitation of chlorophyll pigments in plant extracts through the use of prepacked, inexpensive reversed-phase chromatography columns and UV-vis spectrophotometry. A synthetic component is added to the more traditional separation experiments through the development of the bench-friendly synthesis of coloring agent E141, a chlorophyll-derived food dye. The protocol embeds analytical and mathematical components that encourage students to engage in problem solving activities and mathematical modeling early on in their studies.
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      – TitleFull: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Spinach Extracts: A Modular, Inexpensive, and Bench-Friendly Protocol
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