Ten per cent solutions were prepared of most of the substances
employed and in some few cases five per cent solutions were
used and of each of these a small quantity, usually a
few drops only were added at one time.
It was found, that the carbonates of ammonium,
sodium and potassium all at first increased the depth of
the green, but this after some hours changed to olive green
and even brown; they also exerted a marked solvent action
in the chlorophyll itself:-
That a solution of soap intensified the colour greatly,
the brilliant green hue being retained for some days:-
That phosphate of sodium and chloride of sodium at
first increased the green colour to a small extent only, but
after a time it became dark brown; both solutions exerted
a slight solvent action.
The organic acids on the contrary, as citric and especially
tartaric acid, destroyed the green colour quickly, turning
it from green to a light yellowish brown. They also exhibi=
ted considerable bleaching properties, but they showed no
solvent action on the chlorophyll as did the alkaline
carbonates.
Bitartrate of potassium changed the bright grass
green to dark olive, but it exerted no solvent action.
Olive oil quickly dissolved the chlorophyll and turned
it to amber or olive brown.
Accompanying the change of colour, due to the action
of the acids, a precipitation occurs of a granular matter,
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Manuscript details
- Author
- Arthur Hill Hassall
- Reference
- AP/69/1
- Series
- AP
- Date
- 1892
- IIIF
-
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Cite as
On the Colour of Leaves of Plants and their Autumnal Changes, 1892. From The Royal Society, AP/69/1
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