Interactions between Photosynthetic Pigments Bound to Lipid and Protein Particles. Spectroscopic Properties

The spectroscopic (visible) properties of pigment-bearing lipid and protein particles extract­ ed from milk show that: 1) chlorophylls a and b bound to separate particles can form aggregates provided their relative concentration is high enough. Neither pheophytin a nor ^-carotene, in the same conditions, form observable aggregates. 2) Chlorophylls a and b can co-aggregate when they are bound to the same particles. Pheophytin a as well as /8-carotene seem to prevent the aggregation of chlorophyll a. p-carotene has no effect on the aggregation of chlorophyll b.