Enzymatic synthesis and characterization of chlorophyllide derivatives as possible internal standards for pigment chromatographic analysis

•Easy and fast enzymatic synthesis of chlorophyllides a and b esters.•Dunalliela salina provided both the enzyme chlorophyllase and chlorophyll substrates.•Chromatographic properties of esters of different alcohols and diols were studied.•Chlorophyllide a (8′-hydroxyoctyl) ester was selected and completely characterized.•The proposed internal standard showed adequate stability over time.