Bacteriochlorophylls are
photosynthetic pigments that occur in various
phototrophic bacteria. They were discovered by
C. B. van Niel in 1932. They are related to
chlorophylls, which are the primary pigments in
plants,
algae, and
cyanobacteria. Groups that contain bacteriochlorophyll conduct photosynthesis, but do not produce
oxygen. They use wavelengths of light not absorbed by plants or
Cyanobacteria. Different groups contain different types of bacteriochlorophyll:
Bacteriochlorophylls
a,
b, and
g are
bacteriochlorins, meaning their molecules have a bacteriochlorin
macrocycle ring with two
reduced pyrrole rings (B and D). Bacteriochlorophylls
c,
d,
e, and
f are
chlorins, meaning their molecules have a chlorin
macrocycle ring with one reduced pyrrole ring (D).