Chlorophylls: Chemistry and Biological Functions

Chlorophyll is found in almost every green part of plants, i.e. leaves and stem, within the chloroplast, the main organelle which contains the highest amount. Chlorophylls have been the subject of extensive research efforts because of their eminent role in plant physiology and their role as derivatives in the food sector. They have a major role in interrupting diverse diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, and other chronic disease. This chapter demonstrates some natural and biological mechanisms in which chlorophyll breakdown occurs. The porphyrin unit has a very crucial role in nature because it participates in the fundamental skeleton of chlorophyll. Chlorophylls are highly susceptible to degradation during processing conditions, resulting in food color changes. The chlorophyll degradation in foods may occur via chemical and bio-chemical reactions. Research has revealed that the chlorophylls are tetrapyrroles, a cyclic form of porphyrin and chlorin. This cyclic form creates an isocyclic ring with the help of CH bridges.