Sunlight does indeed remove chlorophyll. It causes chlorophyll to decompose through a process called photodegradation. This happens because chlorophyll, while essential for photosynthesis, is not very stable and breaks down when exposed to bright sunlight.
Here's how it works:
- Sunlight contains energy in the form of photons. When these photons strike chlorophyll molecules, they transfer their energy to the chlorophyll.
- This energy causes chlorophyll to become unstable and eventually break down. This process is irreversible, meaning the chlorophyll is permanently destroyed.
- To counter this, plants continuously produce new chlorophyll. This ensures they maintain a sufficient amount of chlorophyll for photosynthesis, even though some is constantly being degraded by sunlight.
Examples:
- Potatoes: When potatoes are exposed to light, they produce chlorophyll, which gives them a green color. This is a sign that the potato has been exposed to light and may have developed harmful toxins.
- Cannabis: Growers often use UV light to remove chlorophyll from extracts and tinctures. However, this also degrades THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, at a slower rate.
In summary: Sunlight does remove chlorophyll, but plants constantly produce new chlorophyll to maintain their photosynthetic function.
