Phycocyanin: The Blue Gold of Spirulina

Nicknamed “blue-green algae”, the Phycocyanin is in fact a Protein (phycobiliprotein) found in some phytoplankton and notably cyanobacteria like the Spirulina. It's a pigment (made up of elements such as C-phycocyanin) which, in my opinion, gives the most beautiful Blue that can be found on Earth.

To know:

If spirulina is not entirely blue but blue-green, it is because it contains other pigments besides phycocyanin, such as Chlorophyll or the carotenoids.

A small clarification before you continue reading: phycocyanin earns a lot of credit for its participation in various actions. beneficial for the body and our health. If you look more closely at the scientific studies that praise it, many of them are carried out using “a phycocyanin extract” or directly mention “C-phycocyanin”. 

Like a treasure, phycocyanin enriches spirulina with its two major benefits:

Blue-green algae, and in particular C-phycocyanin, allow The activation of bone marrow stem cells producers of white blood cells. It therefore plays a major role in our Immune system. Other elements of spirulina contribute to this, such as lysine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, which each play their part in boosting natural defences. Some are immunostimulants, others produce antibodies or contribute to cell growth and repair. 

To find out more about spirulina and phycocyanin as an immune booster, I invite you to read the article:

How does spirulina boost our immune system?

The Athletes, you may have already heard of spirulina to accompany your training sessions. Please note that the phycocyanin in spirulina helps you push your limits by Endurance.

C-phycocyanin has powerful virtues Antioxidants. It's a Anti-inflammatory and anti-free radical natural that has its place in your sports training. 

Spirulina provides you with phycocyanin, but also you Orphan which is essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body, especially as it is biography available. Furthermore, by its content of Oligo-elements specifics like magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc and selenium, spirulina strengthens the Muscle and neurological metabolism. These minerals act as a supplement to vitamins B1, B6 and B12 to limit the symptoms of muscle and tendon pain in muscles most affected by prolonged exertion.

How to boost your sporting performance with spirulina?

Provided it is consumed regularly as part of a balanced lifestyle and diet, here are some of the other effects of phycocyanin which have been studied. You will find that it is multifunctional and acts on different points of our anatomy.

The pigment has a slight edge Detox very good, as it enriches the gut microbiota and helps eliminate waste from the body. It can also play a role in protecting and detoxifying the liver.

A little side neuroprotective Yes, indeed, as well! Taken daily, phycocyanin is said to reduce the risks of ischaemic strokes.

A little side Antihistamine Why not, it's a gift! 😉 It has an immunomodulatory effect that can reduce the sensitivity and excessive reactions of certain allergies.

Let's try again. What about the Type 2 diabetes Are you really trying to stump me! Blue-green algae could help improve glucokinase levels, an enzyme involved in regulating blood sugar, in the liver and pancreas. 

Shall we stop there? Even at this stage, phycocyanin is a really top and useful pigment. Its potential is not yet fully known, and studies are continuing on its other possible health benefits.

The Fresh spirulina the highest quality ones contain phycocyanin at a concentration of 221 ppm. It is common for this rate to decrease during the atomisation process (dehydration of spirulina by high pressure and heat), powdering, or packaging. Indeed, the water that maintains the pigment's structure disappears during drying, which affects the molecule, causing it to degrade more easily.

When you're a true spirulina fan, you cherish it with all your heart every moment, from pond to plate. That's why at Akal, We favour gentle drying, at less than 42°C, then a reduction to powder using a stone mill so as not to heat the spirulina, in order to preserve the properties of phycocyanin as much as possible. 

Reply to your big question: qWhat is the phycocyanin content in our spirulina? Our Akal spirulina contains total phycocyanin at 20.51 TP3T, and C-phycocyanin at 14.61 TP3T.

We also offer fresh spirulina during the peak season! Our spreadable range allows you to enjoy fresh spirulina (and a good level of phycocyanin) in different forms: fresh spirulina, spirulina tartare, spirulina hummus, and spir'algae. We offer free tastings during farm visits and occasionally at weekly markets.

The Phycocyanin can be consumed independently or via fresh or dehydrated spirulina (powder, twigs, petals, glitter, tablets). We recommend starting with a course during the inter-season, then integrating it into your daily nutritional routine all year round. Listen to your body's needs. It's also very important to enjoy consuming it. In my eyes, there is no more pleasant consumption experience than to say: “I am eating something that is good for my body, that is good for me. I'm going to feel good because of this. I cherish this moment.”

In any case, it is important to choose your Spirulina phycocyanin source. Quality is important for your body. Prioritise artisanal, environmentally friendly, and if possible, local produce!

Discover French organic phycocyanin Akal.

I invite you to check with your spirulina supplier Which phycocyanin is indicated on the packaging. Some only show one rate without specifying whether it's total phycocyanin or C-phycocyanin (the latter is active, its potential is the subject of numerous health studies). Spirulina containing a high level of C-phycocyanin is therefore just as interesting for the consumer as a high level of total phycocyanin. Our future packaging will feature both of these rates.

Sources

https://www.phytonut.com/blog/spiruline-phycocyanine/

https://www.naturaforce.com/bienfaits-complements/spiruline/phycocyanine/

https://phycocyanine-spiruline.com/phycocyanine/

https://anosoin.com/danger-de-la-phycocyanine/

Phycocyanin, LAIM, Edition M, 2010

Influence of C-phycocyanin on hepatocellular parameters related to hepatic oxidative stress and Kupffer cell function, Remirez D, Fernandez V, Tapia G, Gonzalez R, Videla LA. Ozone Research Centre, National Centre for Scientific Research, Havana, Cuba

C-phycocyanin: a potent free radical scavenger against peroxyl radicals in vivo and in vitro, Bhat VB, Madyastha KM, Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India

https://www.spirulinefrance.fr/la-compositon-record-de-la-spiruline/phycocyanine

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23368938/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15242017/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31473797/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9712713/

Spirulina: the blue algae for health and prevention, Doctor Jean-Louis Vidalo