Overview
- Osaka Metropolitan University and collaborators report the findings in Cell Reports Physical Science, identifying siphonein as the key photoprotective pigment in LHCII.
- Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy detected residual chlorophyll triplet signals in spinach but none in Codium fragile, indicating full quenching in the alga.
- Siphonein occupies the L1 binding site near chlorophylls a610–a612, positioning it for rapid and effective dissipation of triplet energy.
- Quantum chemical simulations explain how siphonein’s electronic structure and geometry enable efficient triplet‑triplet energy transfer within the antenna complex.
- The authors say the principles could guide molecular design of carotenoids and inspire more durable, self‑protecting solar energy systems.