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Product Introduction
Phycocyanin is a deep blue powder isolated from spirulina. It is mainly found in blue-green algae, red algae, and cryptomonads. Phycocyanin is divided into C-Phycocyanin and R-Phycocyanin, with the former mainly in blue-green algae and the latter in red algae, while both are present in cryptomonads. It absorbs light (orange-yellow) and transfers light energy. It functions as both a protein and a natural edible pigment, and is also a valuable health food.
Phycocyanin is a rare pigment protein in nature, known for its vivid color and rich nutritional value, with a complete amino acid profile and high essential amino acid content.
Phycocyanin Production Process
Phycocyanin is produced using the Spirulina genus, cultured in a pH 8.5-11 medium with carbonates or carbon dioxide as the carbon source, at 30-35°C with aeration. The spirulina is harvested, dried, and then water-extracted to obtain pigments and soluble proteins. The extract is concentrated under vacuum and then spray-dried.
Phycocyanin Benefits and Uses
Phycocyanin helps regulate and synthesize various important enzymes needed for human metabolism.
Phycocyanin Applications
Phycocyanin has a wide range of applications:
(1) Natural edible colorant: Phycocyanin is a water-soluble, non-toxic, pure blue pigment that can be used as a food colorant and in cosmetics.
(2) Health supplements: Phycocyanin has been shown to stimulate red blood cell colony formation, similar to erythropoietin (EPO). Various phycocyanin-based drugs have been developed abroad, with successful reports of improving anemia and increasing hemoglobin levels.
(3) Special reagent for biology, chemistry, and cell biology experiments: Phycocyanin has a blue color and fluorescence, making it useful in photodynamic research in biology and cell biology.
Phycocyanin Packaging and Storage
【Storage Conditions】Seal tightly, shield from light, store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place
【Packaging】Bulk: 25 kg/cardboard drum; Samples: 1 kg/foil bag; custom packaging available upon request
【Shipping】Express or logistics; domestic express delivery within three days, logistics within five days; quotes generally include domestic shipping costs
【Shelf Life】Two years
Plant Source—Spirulina
Spirulina, a type of economically important microalgae from the Oscillatoriaceae family, is a prokaryote. The filaments are composed of single-layered cells, non-branching, and non-specialized. They are usually blue-green and have a regular helical structure, forming cylindrical, spindle-shaped, or dumbbell-shaped colonies. The ends of the filaments are slightly thinner, with blunt or cap-like structures at the tips; typically, there is no sheath, or a thin, transparent sheath may be present; cells are cylindrical with noticeable cross-sections, which are either absent or not prominently constricted. Spirulina is named for its spiral shape observed under a microscope.
Spirulina grows in salt-alkaline lakes with adequate light and suitable temperatures, originally discovered in Lake Chad in Africa, and also found in salt-alkaline lakes in Ordos, China. It thrives in high temperatures and tolerates salt and alkalinity. It primarily reproduces by simple cell division and can adapt to seawater cultivation after domestication.
Spirulina is rich in protein and contains a unique pigment protein—phycocyanin, along with carotenoids and vitamins, and essential macro and trace elements. Humans have a long history of consuming spirulina. Commercial cultivation is mainly for health supplements, high-grade aquaculture feed, and phycocyanin extraction.
