Photosynthetic organisms contain a large variety of pigments that allow us to see colours.

Photosynthetic organisms contain a large variety of pigments that allow us to see colours. Relevant pigments include chlorophylls (colour green), as well as carotenes (orange), xanthophylls (yellow), anthocyanins (reddish, purple or blueish hues) and phycobilins (blue, pink or violet). The specific colour of an alga or plant depends generally on the predominant pigment or combination of them. These pigments have complex chemical structures and their function is to capture light energy that will be transformed into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This activity will focus on photosynthetic organisms, particularly microalgae. During the activity, these unicellular organisms will be observed through optical microscopes and pigments will be extracted and separated using paper chromatography.

Coordinated by: Julia Maria Esclapez Espliego, Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alicante

Date and time: 30/09/2022 6-10 p.m.

Place: University of Alicante – San Vicente del Raspeig Campus