Production of Preparation Rich in Zn-Pheophytin from the Leaves of Wheat Triticum aestivum L.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to produce a preparation enriched in a zinc derivative of pheophytin from the excised leaves of winter wheat Triticum aestivum L. First, pheophytinization of chlorophyll was conducted, then phenolic compounds and Mg²⁺ were washed out from the leaves at рН 3.5–4.0 with the addition of EDTA-Na followed by incubation with ZnCl₂; the leaves were dried and stored in the dark. Zinc derivatives were extracted by a double treatment with ethanol. In order to improve the yield, metallization was repeated. By the results of spectrofluorimetric analysis and thin-layer chromatography, the obtained preparation corresponded to Zn-pheophytin а and b. Prospects of application of Zn-pheophytin preparation with antioxidant and antiviral activities are discussed.