Chlorophyll Forte GP - Research Brief

In 1780, the famous English chemist Joseph Priestley found that plants could "restore air which has been injured by the burning of candles." He used a mint plant, and placed it into an upturned glass jar in a vessel of water for several days. He then found that "the air would neither extinguish a candle, nor was it all inconvenient to a mouse which I put into it". In other words, he discovered that plants produce oxygen.

The actual chemical equation which takes place is the reaction between carbon dioxide and water, catalysed by sunlight, to produce glucose (С6Н12О6) and a waste product, oxygen. The glucose sugar is either directly used as an energy source by the plant for metabolism or growth, or is polymerised to form starch, so it can be stored until needed. The waste oxygen is excreted into the atmosphere, where it is made use of by plants and animals for respiration.

sunlight
6СО₂ + 6Н₂О → С₆Н₁₂О₆ + 6О₂
chlorophyll

The basic structure of a chlorophyll molecule is a porphyrin ring, co-ordinated to a central atom. This is very similar in structure to the heme group found in hemoglobin, except that in heme the central atom is iron, whereas in chlorophyll it is magnesium.

Chlorophyll is lipid-soluble.

Santegra®’s product - Chlorophyll Forte GP contains chlorophyllin - a sodium/copper derivative of chlorophyll. In contrast to chlorophyll, сhlorophyllin is water-soluble and stable form of chlorophyll. 

Sodium copper chlorophyllin is produced by replacing the magnesium atom with copper and sodium. Introduction of the molecule of copper in chlorophyllin increases its biological activity. Copper has been chosen because of high biological activity of this metal including its anti-inflammatory.

In one in vitro test, chlorophyllin demonstrated significant inhibition of several mutagens, including cigarette smoke, coal dust and diesel emission particles. Its antioxidant activity may have accounted for this effect. 

Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin have the ability to form molecular complexes with some chemical substances, including polyaromatic carbohydrates in the tobacco smoke (5), some heterocyclic amines, found in the fried meat (6), and aflatoxin-B1, which can cause cancer. (7)

The binding of chlorophyll or chlorophyllin to these potential carcinogens may interfere with their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, decrease the amount of the harmful substances and prevent the damage they can cause. (8)