What is phycocyanin and its functions
December 17, 2023
Phycocyanin is an intracellular protein extracted from Spirulina platensis. It is obtained by crushing Spirulina platensis cells and precipitating them, and is called phycocyanin because it appears blue after extraction. It is a pure, natural, edible, and harmless pigment, and is the only sky blue pigment allowed by the US FDA. Both the US FDA and the European Union do not limit its use, so it can be consumed with confidence.
Phycocyanin not only has the function of a pure natural pigment, but spirulina itself is rich in protein, including eight essential amino acids in the human body, making it a good protein supplement. In recent years, more and more scientists have discovered the nutritional value of spirulina, making it known as the "most ideal food of the 21st century". As an extract from spirulina, phycocyanin also has rich nutritional value.
Due to its complete amino acid composition and rich protein content, consuming phycocyanin is highly beneficial to the human body. Phycocyanin can enhance lymphocyte activity, enhance the body's immunity through the lymphatic system, and enhance the body's ability to prevent and resist diseases. It can improve anemia, such as meat and animal organs that can supplement iron. The rich heme iron can be directly absorbed by the human body, while non heme iron is difficult to absorb by the human body. It needs to be separated first and then reduced to divalent iron in order to be absorbed, so the absorption rate is very low. And phycocyanin can form soluble compounds with iron, improving the body's absorption of iron.
It also has antioxidant properties and can clear a series of toxic free radicals such as superoxide and hydroperoxide groups, making it effective in combating oxidative stress, fatigue, or insomnia.