Abstract

Kanaan Al-Tameemi*, Rana Nassour and Abdullah Hamad

ABSTRACT

Plant pigments exist in varied forms, some with highly complex chemical structures. Chlorophylls represent the most important natural plant pigments. They are the green pigments that contribute in photosynthesis, and they are found in all the organisms preforming this process. Chlorophylls are complex liposoluble organic compounds, consisting of a porphyrin ring (tetrapyrroles macrocycle) with a central magnesium atom, a cyclopentanone ring and a side phytol chain. Two forms of chlorophylls (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b) are embedded within the thylakoid membranes of higher plants? chloroplasts. Chlorophylls have various semi-synthetic derivatives, and chlorophyllins are the most studied among them. The synthesis of different chlorophyllins occurs by removing the phytol chain to increase the solubility in water, and replacing the central magnesium by a divalent cation such as copper, iron or zinc, which is important to retain the green colour of the pigments. Decades ago, human have taken chlorophylls to treat many medical conditions. In this review, we will summarize the potential health benefits and side effects for chlorophylls and their derivatives.