Photostability Assay on Light-harvesting Complex as a Material of Biophotovoltaic

Purple photosynthetic light-harvesting (LH2) is attractive complex module for hybrid nanostructures. Bacteriochlorophyll a in LH2 absorb at 320-400 nm, 585 nm and at near-infrared region (B800, B850 bands), while carotenoids absorb at 400-550 nm. Prior for application, LH2 has to be extracted from its native membrane and placed in suitable matrix. This study reports photostability assay of LH2 from Rhodopseudomonas palustris under continuous illumination in its native membrane and in solubilized condition in different detergent buffers. Continual degradation has been observed by the decrease of intensity at λmax, yet can be slowed-down and restrained by addition of glycerol or polyvinyl-alcohol.