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Phycocyanin is a natural pigment protein extracted from Spirulina. Its main function in nature is to act as a photosynthetic auxiliary pigment, helping to absorb specific wavelengths in sunlight, thereby improving the efficiency of photosynthesis. Phycocyanin is well known for its unique blue color and has a variety of nutritional values.
Phycocyanin can effectively resist ultraviolet and other ionizing ray radiation. Because phycocyanin can significantly inhibit blood cell reduction, and the damage and repair of hematopoietic stem cells play a crucial role in hematopoietic radiation disease, phycocyanin indirectly resists radiation.
Phycocyanin can effectively scavenge free radicals and fight inflammation. It has a significant inhibitory effect on glucose-magnesium oxide-induced inflammation, arthritis, colitis, and acute and chronic tissue and organ inflammation. Its antioxidant activity is much higher than commonly used antioxidant substances such as SOD (superoxide dismutase) and vitamin C.
Through testing, the effect of phycocyanin on rats with potassium salt-induced brain damage was studied. It was concluded that phycocyanin has a significant protective effect on nerve cells and nerve tissue. The non-toxicity of phycocyanin makes it possible to treat oxidative stress-induced neurodegenerative diseases.
In recent years, various photosensitizers have been continuously studied, but they all have side effects to varying degrees. Phycocyanin, as a pure natural nutrient, has no toxic side effects. Experiments show that after exposure to light, the survival rate of tumor cells decreases with the increase of phycocyanin concentration, showing a good dose relationship.
Phycocyanin passed GRAS in the United States in 2012 and can be used as a food ingredient in all foods and dietary supplements. According to the 21st Federal Regulations of the United States (Food and Drug 21CFR§73.530), it can be used in candies, ice cream, cakes, beverages, sauces, puddings, cheese, jelly candies, bread, ready-to-eat cereals, and dietary supplements without any restrictions on dosage.
Phycocyanin as a single substance is not included in the list of food additives in the EU. However, the EU has a standard to determine whether an extract can be used as a food ingredient equivalent to its extraction source, that is, as Foods with colorful property (color food) or colorant (pigment). Phycocyanin meets this standard and can be used as a food ingredient as a spirulina extract or concentrate.