The phycocyanin,or blue spirulina, is a pigment-protein found in cyanobacteria, principally spirulina, to which it gives its bluish hue. It plays a key role in photosynthesis, efficiently capturing light energy.
Composed ofα-phycocyanin and β-phycocyanin,it contains chromophores capable of absorbing blue and red light, giving it its intense blue color and purple fluorescence. These subunits assemble into phycobilisomes.These are veritable antennae that capture and transfer solar energy.
Isolated from spirulina, phycocyanin is used for its unique properties, notably in the food industry and biotechnology research.