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Spirulina Blue – Phycocyanin Powder (Natural Blue Pigment)
Spirulina Blue – Phycocyanin Powder (Natural Blue Pigment)
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Spirulina Blue – Phycocyanin Powder (Natural Blue Pigment)

  • Phycocyanin > 11,5 %
  • E10
  • E18
  • E40

Delivery time
On Demand weeks
Quality by Alganex - icon
Bio organic algae product

DE-ÖKO-070
EU agriculture

This product is also available in conventional form in addition to the organic version.

Product Overview

Phycocyanin is a water-soluble, cobalt-blue pigment extracted from the cyanobacterium Arthrospira (commonly known as Spirulina). It is available as a freeze-dried powder and serves as both a natural blue colorant and a functional ingredient across food, cosmetic, and supplement applications.

Typical applications: Spirulina Blue – Phycocyanin Powder (Natural Blue Pigment)

Functional Highlights

Color Properties

  • Produces an intense cobalt-blue ("electric blue") color in formulations
  • Water-soluble – readily incorporated into aqueous systems
  • Suitable as a natural food colorant and cosmetic pigment

Functional Properties

  • Antioxidant activity – acts as a free radical scavenger and inhibits cholesterol formation [2, 3, 5, 14]
  • Anti-inflammatory properties – inhibits histamine release associated with allergic inflammation [11]
  • Neuroprotective effects – studied in relation to neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease, ischemia, and Parkinson's disease [7]
  • Liver cell protection – antioxidant action shown to inhibit damage in liver cells [10]
  • Cardiovascular effects – enzyme modification associated with inhibition of cardiac malfunction [10]
  • Anticancer activity – studied across breast cancer, lung cancer, and bone marrow cancer cell types [12, 13]
  • Tumor-related enzyme regulation – regulates enzymes involved in tumor development and angiogenesis [6]
  • Eye lens protection – may inhibit cataract development by regulating biological pathways for lens maintenance [8]
typical applications for Spirulina Blue – Phycocyanin Powder (Natural Blue Pigment) Powder

Typical applications

  • Food ingredients – natural blue coloring for confectionery, gummies, and candies
  • Food supplements – capsules, tablets, mixed into food or beverages
  • Cosmetics – colorant and functional ingredient in skincare formulations, anti-aging products, and exfoliants
  • Nutraceuticals – liquid shots for post-exercise recovery support
  • Smoothies and shakes – used as a pigment and functional additive
certification Alganex icon

ALGANEX certificate system

  • ALGANEX guarantees a high quality product without impurities
  • The colour content is at least 11.5 %.

Product information: Spirulina Blue – Phycocyanin Powder (Natural Blue Pigment)

Phycocyanin is formed by the microalgae Spirulina and is a natural, water-soluble antioxidant [2,3,5]. with an intense blue colour. Various studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties [2,5]. Due to its antioxidative potential it is also an effective radical scavenger. 

Technical Specifications

 
appearance blue powder, water soluble
colour content > 11,5 %
composition maltodextrin, blue coloring food (spirulina concentrate), trehalose, acidity regulator (sodium citrates E 331) 

nutritional value 

energy 1599 kj                  
  377 kcal                            
fat 0,1 g
saturated fatty acids 0 g
carbonhydrates 71,6 g
sugars 2 g
proteins 21,5 g
salt 1,3 g

*All values are indicative and may vary between batches. Please request a current Certificate of Analysis for exact specifications.

 

Production / Cultivation Notes

Phycocyanin is extracted from the cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina). It belongs to the phycobilin group of chromophores and functions as a photosynthetic light-harvesting pigment in cyanobacteria. The pigment enables organisms to capture energy in low-light conditions by covering wavelength ranges not absorbed by chlorophyll.

The product is manufactured as freeze-dried powder. Freeze-drying is selected because it preserves a higher concentration of functional molecules compared to heat-based drying methods. Buyers are advised to verify that sourced phycocyanin is freeze-dried and produced under strict quality standards consistent with European regulatory requirements, in order to minimise risks of contamination or toxicological impurities.

Phycocyanin is present in Spirulina in smaller quantities; concentrated phycocyanin extract therefore delivers a substantially higher pure phycocyanin content than standard Spirulina powder.

 

Ordering & Contact

We supply Spirulina Blue (Phycocyanin) powder in bulk for B2B buyers across the food ingredient, food supplement, cosmetics, and nutraceutical sectors. Both organic (DE-ÖKO-070) and conventional variants are available. Delivery times are available on request. Contact us to request a quote, discuss volume requirements, or obtain a product specification sheet.

 

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Phycocyanin?

Phycocyanin is a water-soluble, cobalt-blue pigment belonging to the phycobilin group of chromophores. It is extracted from the cyanobacterium Arthrospira (commonly known as Spirulina) and plays a role in photosynthesis by capturing light energy in wavelength ranges not absorbed by chlorophyll.

What is Phycocyanin Powder used for?

Phycocyanin powder is used as a natural blue colorant in food and cosmetic products, as a functional ingredient in food supplements and nutraceuticals, and as a pigment in smoothies, liquid shots, and skincare formulations. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been documented in referenced scientific literature [2, 3, 5].

What industries use Phycocyanin?

Phycocyanin is used across the food ingredient, food supplement, cosmetics, nutraceutical, and agricultural sectors. It is particularly valued as a natural blue colorant in confectionery and as a functional cosmetic additive due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

How is Phycocyanin produced?

Phycocyanin is extracted from cultivated Arthrospira (Spirulina) and processed into powder form. Freeze-drying is the recommended production method as it preserves the maximum concentration of functional molecules compared to heat-based drying.

What is the difference between Phycocyanin and Spirulina?

Spirulina (Arthrospira) is the cyanobacterium from which Phycocyanin is extracted. Standard Spirulina powder contains Phycocyanin in relatively small quantities. Concentrated Phycocyanin extract delivers a much higher pure Phycocyanin content and is therefore preferred when the functional or coloring properties of Phycocyanin are the target outcome.

Is Phycocyanin available as an organic product?

Yes. This Phycocyanin powder is certified organic under DE-ÖKO-070 / EU-Landwirtschaft. A conventional (non-organic) variant is also available.

What functional properties does Phycocyanin have?

Referenced studies have documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, liver-protective, and anticancer activities across various cell types. These include inhibition of histamine release, free radical scavenging, and enzyme regulation related to tumor development and angiogenesis. Effects are supported by the referenced scientific literature included in this document. [5, 6, 10].

How should Phycocyanin be used?

Phycocyanin powder can be incorporated into food supplements as capsules or tablets, mixed directly into food or beverages, used as a pigment in smoothies or shakes, or taken as a concentrated liquid shot. In cosmetics, it is added as a colorant and functional active ingredient in formulations such as anti-aging products and exfoliants. 

 

Sources:

  1. Phycocyanin - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phycocyanin)
  2. Blas-Valdivia V, Moran-Dorantes DN, Rojas-Franco P, Franco-Colin M, Mirhosseini N, Davarnejad R, Halajisani A, Tavakoli O, Cano-Europa E. C-Phycocyanin prevents acute myocardial infarction-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiac damage. Pharm Biol. 2022 Dec;60(1):755-763. doi: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2055089. PMID: 35373708; PMCID: PMC8979534. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35373708/)
  3. Motamedzadeh A, Rahmati-Dehkordi F, Heydari H, Behnam M, Rashidi Noshabad FZ, Tamtaji Z, Taheri AT, Nabavizadeh F, Aschner M, Mirzaei H, Tamtaji OR. Therapeutic potential of Phycocyanin in gastrointestinal cancers and related disorders. Mol Biol Rep. 2024 Jun 14;51(1):741. doi: 10.1007/s11033-024-09675-3. PMID: 38874869. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38874869/)
  4. Ashaolu TJ, Samborska K, Lee CC, Tomas M, Capanoglu E, Tarhan Ö, Taze B, Jafari SM. Phycocyanin, a super functional ingredient from algae; properties, purification characterization, and applications. Int J Biol Macromol. 2021 Dec 15;193(Pt B):2320-2331. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.064. Epub 2021 Nov 16. PMID: 34793814. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34793814/)
  5. Bannu SM, Lomada D, Gulla S, Chandrasekhar T, Reddanna P, Reddy MC. Potential Therapeutic Applications of C-Phycocyanin. Curr Drug Metab. 2019;20(12):967-976. doi: 10.2174/1389200220666191127110857. PMID: 31775595. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31775595/)
  6. Liu R, Qin S, Li W. Phycocyanin: Anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022 Sep;153:113362. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113362. Epub 2022 Jul 14. PMID: 36076518. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36076518/)
  7. Xu FH, Qiu YZ, Zhang Y, Yang FH, Ji MM, Liu KC, Jin M, Zhang SS, Li B. The molecular mechanism of three novel peptides from C-phycocyanin alleviates MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease-like pathology in zebrafish. Food Funct. 2023 Jul 3;14(13):6157-6171. doi: 10.1039/d3fo01098h. PMID: 37337786. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37337786/)
  8. Kumari RP, Anbarasu K. Protective role of C-phycocyanin against secondary changes during sodium selenite mediated cataractogenesis. Nat Prod Bioprospect. 2014 Apr;4(2):81-9. doi: 10.1007/s13659-014-0008-4. Epub 2014 Apr 2. PMID: 24858035; PMCID: PMC4004860. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24858035/)
  9. Fernandes R, Campos J, Serra M, Fidalgo J, Almeida H, Casas A, Toubarro D, Barros AIRNA. Exploring the Benefits of Phycocyanin: From Spirulina Cultivation to Its Widespread Applications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Apr 14;16(4):592. doi: 10.3390/ph16040592. PMID: 37111349; PMCID: PMC10144176. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37111349/)
  10. Romay Ch, González R, Ledón N, Remirez D, Rimbau V. C-phycocyanin: a biliprotein with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2003 Jun;4(3):207-16. doi: 10.2174/1389203033487216. PMID: 12769719. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12769719/)
  11. Romay C, Armesto J, Remirez D, González R, Ledon N, García I. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of C-phycocyanin from blue-green algae. Inflamm Res. 1998 Jan;47(1):36-41. doi: 10.1007/s000110050256. PMID: 9495584. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9495584/)
  12. Li B, Chu X, Gao M, Li W. Apoptotic mechanism of MCF-7 breast cells in vivo and in vitro induced by photodynamic therapy with C-phycocyanin. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai). 2010 Jan;42(1):80-9. doi: 10.1093/abbs/gmp104. PMID: 20043050. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20043050/)
  13. Gigova, Liliana. (2014). Gardeva E, Toshkova R, Yossifova L, Minkova K, Ivanova N, Gigova* L. Antitumor activity of C-Phycocyanin from Arthronema africanum (Cyanophyceae). Braz. Arch. Biol. Technol. 2014, 57(5):675-684. ISSN: 1678-4324. (IF2011 - 0.551). (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270895963)

  14. Riss J et al. Phycobiliprotein C-phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis is powerfully responsible for reducing oxidative stress and NADPH oxidase expression induced by an atherogenic diet in hamsters. J Agric Food Chem. 2007;55(19):7962–7967. PMID: 17696484. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17696484/

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