Extraction optimization prior to HPLC analysis for phytoplankton pigments

Abstract

Extracting marine phytoplankton pigments is a frequently-used analytical technique for determining the main groups present in samples. Determining these compounds (carotenoids and chlorophylls) is done mainly by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), with visible UV detection and fluorescence, using a range of published methods. But the preliminary extraction required to determine them is a little-studied step that requires optimising. This paper analyses several factors that affect the extraction process, using ultra-sound microprobe as the main technique, validating the method with culture samples and real samples harvested at different depths.