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What gives Spirulina its color? What benefits and effects does this pigment have on your health? We’ll find the answers to these questions in this blog.

Phycocyanin is one of the major pigments that is found in the edible blue-green microalgae Spirulina. It is a blue-colored pigment that belongs to the class of Phycobiliproteins. It is made up of biliproteins, which are protein compounds that are only present in these algae and certain insects. It is not only beneficial for a person’s health but due to the nature of the pigment, it is also used as a natural coloring agent in the food and cosmetic industry. There are two types of phycocyanin- characterized as C-phycocyanin and R-phycocyanin- that are derived from green and red algae, respectively. The type that is present in Spirulina is the C-phycocyanin.

Health Benefits of Phycocyanin

Phycocyanin is best consumed as a dietary supplement in Spirulina and it has several health benefits against cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While the easiest way to consume phycocyanin is through taking it in as a supplement through Spirulina, other applications and health benefits of phycocyanin are:

● Wound healing: Due to its antioxidant property, it is able to enhance the process of wound repair.

● Immunity booster: It is a powerful agent for the immune system in humans and animals by providing protection from a number of diseases.

● Allergy protection: It’s enhancing biological defense activity against infections and anti-inflammatory property reduces the inflammation caused by allergies.

● Anti-cancer effects: Phycocyanin tends to suppress the rapid growth of cancer cells and could potentially help in reducing the risk of cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervix cancer and leukemia. It is a promising anti-cancer agent as it not only stops the growth of the cells, but at the same time, it also kills the cancer cells.

● Phycocyanin improves gastrointestinal and digestive health.

● It also contributes to healthy cholesterol levels in the body.

● It enhances the natural cleaning and detoxification of the body.

In brief, it can help regulate and synthesize many important enzymes needed for human metabolism, and it plays an important role in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and promoting the regeneration of human cells. At the same time, phycocyanin can also regulate the immune system of the human body, enhance the function of the immune system, improve the body’s resistance to disease. Therefore, phycocyanin powder is aptly called “food diamond” by food experts.

Phycocyanin is truly an excellent pigment of proteins that can be exceptionally good for one’s health. Consuming phycocyanin in the form of Spirulina leads to optimal health. In the current situation where our environment is full of toxins from pollution, consumption of spirulina/phycocyanin is highly beneficial for oneself.

Organic Phycocyanin Powder Common Uses

While Phycocyanin has several health benefits, it also has other uses in the cosmetic industry, food industry, agriculture industry and cytology. Phycocyanin’s primary use in cosmetics is as a colorant due to its pigment characteristics. However, there is also considerable interest in the skincare arena to explain the properties of phycocyanin in treating the skin. Since phycocyanin inhibits the process of production of melanin, it aids in skin whitening.

The blue color of the pigment has fluorescent properties and so it is used as a marker in immunological studies for analyzing cells. Due to the nature of the pigment also being edible, it is used as a coloring in the food industry for products like fermented milk, ice creams, chewing gum, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, desserts, cake decoration, milkshakes, etc. In addition to adding the beautiful sky blue color, phycocyanin can also add powerful functionality to food and provide high-quality plant protein to consumers.

Source:

Soni A, Dubey M, Verma M, Dhankhar R, Kaushal V, Atri R and Sabharwal R: Revisiting the Role of Phycocyanin in Current Clinical Practice. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2015; 6(11): 4588-00.