Phycocyanin - A Natural Blue Pigment

Phycocyanin is an approved natural colourant for food and cosmetic applications in both the United States and the European Union, and the scientific basis of the extraction process is sound. The patent family relates to a process for extracting phycocyanin, a blue pigment, from wet or dry Spirulina biomass. In addition to its application as a blue pigment, phycocyanin is known to exhibit antioxidant and anti-cooling properties, making it ideal for cosmetics applications such as skincare. The process involves milling and hydration, followed by purification using an aqueous two-phase system comprising polyethylene glycol and a carbohydrate phase. The phycocyanin reports to the carbohydrate phase and is further purified through successive ammonium sulphate precipitation steps before drying.

There is potential to commercialise the process for applications that do not require temperatures above 45°C. UCT is currently working on a process to increase the thermostability of the pigment, which would broaden the application to food and cosmetics applications that require heating.