Comparative Extraction of Chlorophylls in Selected Forest and Savanna Mosses Using Dimethylsulphoxide and Acetone

Abstract

The present study compared the extraction of chlorophylls from selected forest mosses (Hyophila involuta and Thuidium gratum) and derived savanna moss (Archidium ohioense) using dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and 80% acetone. The mosses were collected from natural populations found in the Central Campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The chlorophyll extractions process followed standard methods and the absorbance of the extracts were read on spectrophotometer at wavelengths of 645 nm and 663 nm respectively. The data obtained were later subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. The results showed that DMSO was a better chlorophyll extractant for mosses than 80% acetone. Although there were significant differences in the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll a/b ratio and total chlorophyll accumulation within all three species using DMSO and 80% acetone as extractant (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference in the chlorophyll b accumulation of all the three species (P > 0.05).