What is the Difference Between Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllin?

Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin are both green pigments found in plants, but they have different forms and applications. Here are the main differences between them:

1. Solubility: Chlorophyll is oil-soluble, while chlorophyllin is water-soluble. Chlorophyllin is created by converting chlorophyll into a water-soluble form through a process called saponification.
2. Source: Chlorophyll is a natural pigment found in cyanobacteria, algae, and plants, while chlorophyllin is a chemical made from chlorophyll.
3. Central Atom: Chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll, where the central magnesium atom of chlorophyll is replaced by other metals such as cobalt, copper, or iron.
4. Applications: Chlorophyll is used in oil-soluble applications like compound coatings or fat-based products. Chlorophyllin, being water-soluble, is used in a wider variety of food and beverage applications, such as hard candies and boiled sweets.

Both chlorophyll and chlorophyllin provide green colors for different types of applications, but chlorophyllin is more vibrant in color than the original chlorophyll.

Comparative Table: Chlorophyll vs Chlorophyllin

Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin are both green pigments found in plants and algae, but they have different properties and uses. Here is a table summarizing their differences:

Chlorophyll is a natural pigment found in the chloroplasts of green plants, providing them with their green color and enabling them to absorb energy from the sun through photosynthesis. Chlorophyllin, on the other hand, is a water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll, made by replacing the central magnesium atom with other metals such as cobalt, copper, or iron. Both chlorophyll and chlorophyllin have similar properties, but they are used in different food applications due to their solubility differences.