Phycobiliproteins: A New Perspective in Natural Pigments Derived from Microalgae

Nowadays, many researches have focused on the use of natural pigments derived from micro algae, because they have health promoting properties and a wide range of potential industrial applications, mainly in the food and feed industries, as well as in the pharmaceutical and the cosmetic industries. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the correlation between diet health and disease prevention, therefore micro algae represent an innovative and dynamic area inbiotechnology.

Phycobiliproteins are deep-coloured, water soluble, fluorescent proteins that can be found in microalgae, especially cyanobacteria, e.g. Spirulina platensis and rhodophyta e.g. Galdieria sulphuraria. Phycobiliproteins are constituents of the subcellular structures called phycobilisomes, and are covalently bound via cysteine amino acid chromophores, the phycobilins. They can capture light energy and pass it to chlorophylls during photosynthesis. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>>