Microalgae-extracted phycocyanin powder or liquid is the best natural colorant for food, beverages, and cosmetics products. Phycocyanin pigment enhances the nutritional and aesthetic value by adding proteins, antioxidants, and a fresh appearance to ordinary food and cosmetics products.
Along with allophycocyanin and phycoerythrin, phycocyanin is a pigment-protein complex from the light-harvesting phycobiliprotein (PBP) family that biologically collaborates with the chlorophyll in photosynthesis. It is chlorophyll’s auxiliary pigment. Depending on the individual kind, it has a distinctive light blue color and absorbs orange and red light notably near 620 nm. Furthermore, It also emits fluorescence at about 650 nm (also depending on which type it is).
Phycocyanin is taken from the Greek “kyanos,” which denotes a somewhat different color: “dark blue,” and cyanin is derived from the English word “cyan,” which traditionally means a shade of blue-green (near to “aqua”).
The PBP contain three components according to their light energy absorption properties. PBP has high light energy and is called phycoerythrin (red) (R-PC). Also, those of intermediate light energy are phycocyanin (blue) (PC) and the lowest is allophycocyanin (blue) (A-PC). Also, a form of blue-green algae called cyanobacteria gets its energy via photosynthesis. Finally, the organism’s blue-green hue is caused by phycocyanobilin.
Properties:
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Non-toxic
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Water soluble pigment protein
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Exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects.
Uses:
Phycocyanin is used in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic preparations to improve the nutritional and aesthetic value of the product.
Food:
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Phycocyanin is a natural pigment widely used in food such as chewing gums, dairy products, and jellies.
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Phycocyanin possesses a yellow fluorescence by its coloring properties, which is used in dry sugar-drop candies for cake decoration (fluoresce under UV radiation).
Pharmaceutical:
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A variety of pharmacological actions of phycocyanin include anti-oxidation, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory, and also improves immune function and the body’s overall illness resistance.
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Phycocyanin also promotes the regeneration of animal blood cells.
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Phycocyanin helps to improve the body’s functioning and brain activity by removing free radicals from injured nerve cells, preventing DNA oxidative damage and apoptosis in neuronal cells in their genetic material.
Cosmetic:
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Phycocyanin serves the role of a light-harvesting complex. Its primary use in cosmetics is as a colorant due to its pigment characteristics.
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It can improve cutin degeneration, and has the effects of moisturizing, and nourishing the skin.
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The beneficial modulation of apoptotic pathways in skin cells exposed to UV radiation by phycocyanin has also been demonstrated. Additionally, phycocyanin has shown abilities in the healing of wounds.
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The phycocyanin-containing cosmetic is extremely safe, has no toxicity or adverse effects on people’s bodies, and has no stimulating effects on people’s skin.