Porphyrins and phycobilins in Precambrian rocks.
Samples of Precambrian rocks (1.7-2.6 billion years, U.S.S.R.) contain metalloporphyrins and linear tetrapyrrole pigment similar to phycobilin 655 from modern blue-green algae Microystis (according to data of phosphorescence spectroscopy). The detection of ancient phycobilin makes it possible to relate the data on pigment paleobiochemistry with the evolution of photosynthetic system.
D055593:Geological Phenomena; D005844:Geology; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000032:analysis*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000032:analysis*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000032:analysis*
D010860:Pigments, Biological; D011166:Porphyrins; D011758:Pyrroles