Porphyridium purpureum (syn. P. cruentum) – Red Microalgae Powder

The red layer Porphyridium cruentum is coloured dark red to chimney red due to its high pigment content. It is integrated into high-quality cosmetic products as an extract, as the algae pigments maintain the skin's elasticity and moisture.

Technical Specifications

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

Production and Cultivation

Porphyridium purpureum is cultivated in closed photobioreactors. This closed-system cultivation allows precise monitoring and control of environmental conditions, providing optimal growth conditions for the microalgae. Closed systems also reduce the risk of contamination compared to open cultivation methods. In nature, the species can be found in saline waters, coastal regions, moist soils, and other humid environments.

Ordering and Contact

ALGANEX supplies Porphyridium purpureum powder for B2B buyers across cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and animal feed industries. Contact us for bulk pricing, sample requests, and supply chain information. Our team is available to support product developers and purchasing managers with tailored sourcing solutions.

FAQ

What is Porphyridium purpureum?

Porphyridium purpureum, formerly known as Porphyridium cruentum, is a red microalgae species cultivated primarily for its high content of sulfated polysaccharides and pigments such as Phycoerythrin and Zeaxanthin. It is commercially available as a dry powder for use in various industries.

What is Porphyridium purpureum used for?

It is primarily used in cosmetic formulations, particularly in anti-aging products, creams, lotions, and serums. It is also used as an additive in aquaculture feed and is being investigated for nutraceutical applications [3, 5].

What compounds does Porphyridium purpureum contain?

The microalgae contains sulfated polysaccharides, the pigments Phycoerythrin and Zeaxanthin, as well as the fatty acids ALA and EPA [6, 8].

What is the difference between Porphyridium cruentum and Porphyridium purpureum?

The two names refer to the same species. Porphyridium purpureum is the current accepted taxonomic name, while Porphyridium cruentum is a synonym that may still appear in literature and product documentation.

Why are the pigments in Porphyridium purpureum relevant for cosmetic use?

Phycoerythrin and sulfated polysaccharides act as antioxidants, helping to neutralize free radicals and slow cellular aging. Zeaxanthin supports the absorption of UV radiation, contributing to skin protection [5, 7, 10].

How is Porphyridium purpureum produced?

It is cultivated in closed photobioreactors, which allow controlled conditions and minimize contamination risks. Due to the specialized cultivation requirements, it is considered a higher-value microalgae compared to more commonly cultivated species.

How is Porphyridium purpureum incorporated into cosmetic products?

The powder form can be directly incorporated into formulation processes for creams, lotions, and serums.

Sources:

1. Porphyridium purpureum - M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 30 March 2022. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. (https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=564)
2. Porphyridium purpureum - Wikispecies (https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Porphyridium_purpureum)
3. Nguyen AQ, Mohammadi M, Alian M, Muralitharan G, Chauhan VS, Balan V. Exploring the versatility of Porphyridium sp.: A comprehensive review of cultivation, bio-product extraction, purification, and characterization techniques. Biotechnol Adv. 2024 Dec;77:108471. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108471. Epub 2024 Oct 20. PMID: 39437877. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39437877/)
4. Levy-Ontman O, Huleihel M, Hamias R, Wolak T, Paran E. An anti-inflammatory effect of red microalga polysaccharides in coronary artery endothelial cells. Atherosclerosis. 2017 Sep;264:11-18. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.07.017. Epub 2017 Jul 16. PMID: 28738269. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28738269/)
5. Casas-Arrojo V, Decara J, de Los Ángeles Arrojo-Agudo M, Pérez-Manríquez C, Abdala-Díaz RT. Immunomodulatory, Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxic Effect of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Porphyridium cruentum. (S.F.Gray) Nägeli. Biomolecules. 2021 Mar 24;11(4):488. doi: 10.3390/biom11040488. PMID: 33805009; PMCID: PMC8063939. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33805009/)
6. Dvir I, Stark AH, Chayoth R, Madar Z, Arad SM. Hypocholesterolemic effects of nutraceuticals produced from the red microalga Porphyridium sp in rats. Nutrients. 2009 Feb;1(2):156-67. doi: 10.3390/nu1020156. Epub 2009 Nov 23. PMID: 22253975; PMCID: PMC3257595. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22253975/)
7. Li XR, Tian GQ, Shen HJ, Liu JZ. Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli to produce zeaxanthin. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol. 2015 Apr;42(4):627-36. doi: 10.1007/s10295-014-1565-6. Epub 2014 Dec 23. PMID: 25533633. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25533633/)
8. Borovkov AB, Gudvilovich IN, Maltseva IA, Rylkova OA, Maltsev YI. Growth and B-Phycoerythrin Production of Red Microalga Porphyridium purpureum (Porphyridiales, Rhodophyta) under Different Carbon Supply. Microorganisms. 2022 Oct 27;10(11):2124. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10112124. PMID: 36363716; PMCID: PMC9694327. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36363716/)
9. Tan HT, Yusoff FM, Khaw YS, Noor Mazli NAI, Nazarudin MF, Shaharuddin NA, Katayama T, Ahmad SA. A Review on a Hidden Gem: Phycoerythrin from Blue-Green Algae. Mar Drugs. 2022 Dec 29;21(1):28. doi: 10.3390/md21010028. PMID: 36662201; PMCID: PMC9863059. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36662201/)
10. Huang Y, Shi C, Li J. The protective effect of zeaxanthin on human limbal and conjunctival epithelial cells against UV-induced cell death and oxidative stress. Int J Ophthalmol. 2019 Mar 18;12(3):369-374. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2019.03.03. PMID: 30918802; PMCID: PMC6423392. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30918802/)