Bereich Systematik, Biodiversität und Evolution der Pflanzen, Universität München, Menzinger Str. 67, 80638 München, Germany.
Molecules. 2022 Feb 7;27(3):1093. doi: 10.3390/molecules27031093.
Chlorophylls provide the basis for photosynthesis and thereby most life on Earth. Besides their involvement in primary charge separation in the reaction center, they serve as light-harvesting and light-sensing pigments, they also have additional functions, e.g., in inter-system electron transfer. Chlorophylls also have a wealth of applications in basic science, medicine, as colorants and, possibly, in optoelectronics. Considering that there has been more than 200 years of chlorophyll research, one would think that all has been said on these pigments. However, the opposite is true: ongoing research evidenced in this Special Issue brings together current work on chlorophylls and on their carotenoid counterparts. These introductory notes give a very brief and in part personal account of the history of chlorophyll research and applications, before concluding with a snapshot of this year's publications.
叶绿素为光合作用提供了基础，从而为地球上的大多数生命提供了基础。除了在反应中心参与初级电荷分离外，它们还作为光捕获和光感应色素，具有额外的功能，例如在体系间电子转移中。叶绿素在基础科学、医学、作为着色剂以及可能在光电子学中也有丰富的应用。考虑到对叶绿素的研究已经超过 200 年，人们可能会认为关于这些色素已经无话可说了。然而，事实恰恰相反：本期特刊中汇集的关于叶绿素及其类胡萝卜素对应物的当前研究证明了这一点。这些介绍性说明简要介绍了叶绿素研究和应用的历史，并在今年出版物的快照中作了总结。
