title: Microspectroscopy of the photosynthetic compartment of algae.
abstract: We performed microspectroscopic evaluation of the pigment composition of the photosynthetic compartments of algae belonging to different taxonomic divisions and higher plants. The feasibility of microspectroscopy for discriminating among species and/or phylogenetic groups was tested on laboratory cultures. Gaussian bands decompositions and a fitting algorithm, together with fourth-derivative transformation of absorbance spectra, provided a reliable discrimination among chlorophylls a, b and c, phycobiliproteins and carotenoids. Comparative analysis of absorption spectra highlighted the evolutionary grouping of the algae into three main lineages in accordance with the most recent endosymbiotic theories.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Biofisica, Area della Ricerca CNR, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Valtere
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Evangelista
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Frassanito
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Passarelli
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barsanti
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gualtieri
mesh_terms: D056890:Eukaryota / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010777:Photochemistry; D013057:Spectrum Analysis