Overview
Chlorophyll a is the primary photosynthetic pigment in plants and cyanobacteria, absorbing light most efficiently in the blue-violet and red spectra. As a natural colorant (classified as E140a in the EU), it is extracted from sources like alfalfa, nettle, or spirulina through solvent extraction. Its commercial forms often include copper or magnesium complexes to enhance stability. The pigment's green hue makes it popular in food products (e.g., chewing gum, dairy), pharmaceuticals (tablet coatings), and cosmetics. Unlike synthetic dyes, it appeals to clean-label markets, though its light sensitivity requires careful formulation. Industrial production typically involves supercritical CO₂ extraction or ethanol processing.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Chlorophyll a features a porphyrin ring with a magnesium ion at its core, which is critical for light absorption. The compound decomposes when heated above 150°C, losing its color. In acidic conditions, the magnesium ion may be replaced by hydrogen, forming pheophytin—a brownish derivative. Its solubility profile dictates formulation approaches: while insoluble in water, it dissolves well in organic solvents like ethanol or vegetable oils. Commercial preparations often use emulsifiers (e.g., polysorbate 80) for water-based applications. The color ranges from blue-green in neutral/alkaline solutions to olive green in acidic environments.
Main Applications
In the food industry, chlorophyll a (as E140a) colors products like pasta, ice cream, and beverages, typically at 0.01-0.5% concentrations. Pharmaceutical companies use it in capsule shells or topical ointments for its natural appeal. Cosmetic applications include soaps and lotions, where it provides a plant-derived green hue. Recent innovations include its use in solar cells and antibacterial coatings, leveraging its photochemical properties. However, these niche applications require higher purity grades (≥95%), significantly increasing costs compared to food-grade material (~70% purity).
Safety and Storage
Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA classify chlorophyll a as GRAS when used within specified limits (typically ≤500 mg/kg in foods). Allergic reactions are rare but possible, especially in copper-complexed variants. Workers handling powder forms should use dust masks to prevent respiratory irritation. Proper storage is crucial: oxygen and UV exposure accelerate degradation. Suppliers often add antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid) and package the pigment in nitrogen-flushed aluminum foil bags. Refrigeration at 2-8°C extends shelf life to 2-3 years for unopened containers.
B2B Procurement Guide
Buyers should prioritize suppliers providing certificates of analysis (CoA) detailing purity (≥70% for food use), solvent residues (<50 ppm ethanol), and heavy metals (<3 ppm lead). Organic certifications (e.g., USDA, EU Ecocert) add value for clean-label products. Sample testing under intended application conditions (e.g., heat processing, pH range) is recommended, as performance varies by formulation. Bulk pricing tiers typically start at 25 kg, with lead times of 4-8 weeks for customized blends. Spot purchases of standard grades may command 20-30% premiums.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：甘氨酸、除涩剂、调节剂、着色剂、赖氨酸、乳酸钠、化妆品、淀粉钠、凉皮王、海藻酸、缬氨酸、防腐剂、水油溶、面筋粉、壳聚糖、钛白粉、添加剂、酸味剂、蔬菜粉、乳化剂、银耳粉、氨酸钠、甜味剂、氯化钾、辅酶q10
- 主营：卡波姆、卡拉胶、可得然胶、叶绿素铜钠盐厂家、魔芋粉 魔芋精粉、琼脂 琼脂粉、羧甲基纤维素钠、明胶、聚维酮K30、乙基纤维素、D-氨基葡萄糖盐酸盐、壳聚糖、壳寡糖、酪蛋白 干酪素、酪蛋白酸钠 酪朊酸钠、氯化胆碱、甜菜碱、酵母浸粉、蛋白胨、低聚果糖、低聚木糖、甘露寡糖、菊粉、D-异抗坏血酸钠
- 主营：氨基丁酸、甘氨酸、维生素A、叶绿素厂家、维生素B3、酪蛋白酸钙、大豆磷脂、氯化胆碱、胶原蛋白肽、焦磷酸钙、柠檬酸钾、结晶果糖、糖精钠、单宁酶、木瓜蛋白酶、阿拉伯胶、大豆蛋白粉、魔芋粉、温轮胶、干贝素、香兰素、乳酸链球菌素、焦磷酸钾、富马酸、柠檬酸螯合多元素
- 主营：聚乙烯亚胺、三甘醇二异辛酸酯3G8、三硫代碳酸钠40%、叶绿素铜钠盐、TS-1钛硅分子筛、六氯环三磷腈、5-甲基靛红、烷基苯磺酸酯、苯基次磷酸钠、甲巯咪唑、吡啶硫酮锌、焦磷酸哌嗪、热敏材料、油酸甲酯、曲酸
- 主营：蛋氨酸、l-胱氨酸、l-精氨酸、叶绿素厂家、l-丝氨酸、l-酪氨酸、l-脯氨酸、l-赖氨酸、l-缬氨酸、l-茶氨酸、l-色氨酸、l-亮氨酸、l-谷氨酸、l-苏氨酸、l-苯丙氨酸、l-天冬酰胺、l-异亮氨酸、l-谷氨酰胺、l-天冬氨酸、l-天门冬酰胺、l-羟基脯氨酸、l-天门冬氨酸、阿洛酮糖、赤藓糖醇、大豆低聚糖、甘露寡糖
- 主营：叶绿素铜钠盐厂家、低聚果糖
- 主营：氯化胆碱、酵母β葡聚糖、乳清蛋白粉、叶绿素铜钠盐厂家、甜菜碱、甜菜碱盐酸盐、维生素A、维生素B1、维生素B2核黄素、维生素B6、维生素D3、维生素E、烟酰胺、鱼油粉、DHA、左旋肉碱酒石酸盐、大豆肽、谷胱甘肽、牛骨胶原蛋白肽、鱼胶原蛋白肽、赤藓糖醇、低聚半乳糖、低聚果糖、低聚木糖、海藻糖、菊粉
- 主营：海藻酸钠、乳酸链球菌素、卡拉胶、叶绿素铜钠盐、温轮胶、黄原胶、苯丙氨酸、亮氨酸、苏氨酸、谷氨酸、蛋氨酸、牛磺酸、谷氨酰胺、半胱氨酸、酪蛋白酸钠、柑橘黄、羧甲基纤维素钠、聚丙烯酸钠、柠檬酸、氨基丁酸、胍基乙酸、定优胶、L-硒-甲基硒代半胱、干酪素
- 主营：营养强化剂、抗氧化剂、甜味剂、着色剂、食品级增稠剂、食用色素、酶制剂、粉末香精、酸度调节剂、食品乳化剂、抗结剂、增味剂
- 主营：L-半胱氨酸、L-苯丙氨酸、L-谷氨酸、叶绿素厂家、L-蛋氨酸、维生素A、维生素B1、维生素B12、维生素B2、维生素B5、维生素B6、维生素C、维生素D3、维生素E、D-生物素、阿拉伯胶、刺槐豆胶、瓜尔豆胶、果胶 高酯果胶 低酯、海藻酸钠、黄原胶、结冷胶 低酰基结冷胶、聚丙烯酸钠、卡波姆
- 主营：β-环状糊精、阿拉伯胶、刺槐豆胶、叶绿素铜钠盐厂家、瓜尔豆胶、果胶、海藻酸丙二醇酯、海藻酸钠、黄原胶、结冷胶、聚丙烯酸钠、卡波姆、卡拉胶、魔芋粉、塔拉胶、沙蒿籽胶、明胶、温轮胶、大豆分离蛋白、低聚半乳糖、菊粉、水苏糖、罗汉果甜苷、木聚糖、索马甜、氨糖
- 主营：酵母浸粉、甜菜碱、氯化胆碱、叶绿素铜钠盐厂家、酪蛋白酸钠 酪朊酸钠、酪蛋白 干酪素、壳寡糖、壳聚糖、D-氨基葡萄糖盐酸盐、乙基纤维素、聚维酮K30、卡波姆、聚丙烯酸钠、结冷胶、黄原胶、海藻酸钠、果胶、瓜尔豆胶 瓜尔胶
- 主营：固体酸催化剂、重组胶原蛋白、硅油、叶绿素、特种硅油、聚硅氮烷、硼酸铝晶须、碳化硅晶须、t-BAMBP萃取剂、全氟三丁胺
- 主营：有机原料、中间体、香精香料、叶绿素、催化剂、有机硅、表面活性剂
- 主营：果蔬粉、提取物、缬草、叶绿素、人参、灵芝、花青素、黄酮、植物提取物、鱼胶原蛋白、淫羊藿、锁阳、肉苁蓉、水飞蓟、葛根、生姜、硫辛酸、黑枸杞、玛卡、猴头菇、冬虫夏草、绞股蓝、苹果
- 主营：营养强化剂、防腐剂、维生素、叶绿素、酶制剂、甜味剂、增稠剂、乳化剂