The aim of this work was to give more accurate insight in the interaction of
major photosynthesis pigment, chlorophyll (Chl), with copper (II) and zinc
(II) in solution by flow injection analysis with electrospray ionization mass
spectrometry (FIA-ESI-MS) method, as well as combined with ultra high
performance liquid chromatography with DAD detection (UHPLC-DAD). These
interactions may potentially, but not necessarily lead to formation of Cu-Chl
and Zn-Chl complexes of two different types, which has a lot of - at least -
disfunctional implications in plant world. The results based on analysis of
full-scan and MS/MS spectra - with or without the UHPLC chromatograms -
confirm formation of ?central type? Cu-Chl complex, and ?central type? Zn-Chl
complex as well, along with a proof for formation of ?peripheral? Zn-Chl
complex, the latter one originating from a very week coordinative interaction
at the edge of Chl structure. The used techniques appeared to be an efficient
and reliable tool for studying formation and stability of heavy metals
complexes with chlorophyll, at least in vitro, with a considerable
possibility for assessment of real bio-environmental behavior.