Photophysical properties of the excited states of bacteriochlorophyll f in solvents and in chlorosomes

Dariusz M. Niedzwiedzki, Gregory S. Orf, Marcus Tank, Kajetan Vogl, Donald A. Bryant, Robert E. Blankenship

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bacteriochlorophyll f (BChl f) is a photosynthetic pigment predicted nearly 40 years ago as a fourth potential member of the Chlorobium chlorophyll family (BChl c, d, and e). However, this pigment still has not been found in a naturally occurring organism. BChl c, d, and e are utilized by anoxygenic green photosynthetic bacteria for assembly of chlorosomes - large light-harvesting complexes that allow those organisms to survive in habitats with extremely low light intensities. Recently, using genetic methods on two different strains of Chlorobaculum limnaeum that naturally produce BChl e, two research groups produced mutants that synthesize BChl f and assemble it into chlorosomes. In this study, we present detailed investigations on spectral and dynamic characteristics of singlet excited and triplet states of BChl f with the application of ultrafast time-resolved absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. The studies were performed on isolated BChl f in various solvents, at different temperatures, and on BChl f-containing chlorosomes in order to uncover any unusual or unfavorable properties that stand behind the lack of appearance of this pigment in natural environments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2295-2305
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry B
Volume118
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 6 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

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