Phycobiliproteins are a type of protein-pigment found in cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)
and in the light-harvesting complexes of red algae and cryptophytes. These proteins play key roles in
the process of photosynthesis by capturing light energy and passing it on to chlorophylls, where it is converted into chemical energy.
Three of the main types of phycobiliproteins are listed below:
Phycoerythrin - This is the most common phycobiliprotein found in
red seaweed. It absorbs green light (around 550 nm) and emits red light.
Phycocyanin - This protein is found in both cyanobacteria and
red algae. It absorbs orange light (around 620 nm) and emits blue or cyan light.
Allophycocyanin - This protein also absorbs light in the orange
spectrum (around 650 nm) and emits red or far-red light.
The distinctive color of phycobiliproteins comes from their conjugated protein-pigment complexes, which can absorb specific
wavelengths of light. The color and type of phycobiliprotein predominant in a specific algae species is often adapted to the
light conditions of their environment. For example, red algae living at greater depths where blue light is most available
will often have a higher concentration of phycoerythrin, which can effectively absorb this blue light.
Beyond their role in photosynthesis, phycobiliproteins have found use in various applications due to their fluorescence properties
and abilities to form stable complexes. They are used as fluorescent tags in biological research, in immunoassays, and in flow cytometry,
among other applications. They are also investigated for their potential health benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Examples of some phycobiliproteins found in red seaweed are listed below:
Phycoerythrin -This is the most common phycobiliprotein found in
red algae. One red seaweed species that contains phycoerythrin is Porphyra (also known as Nori, widely used in sushi),
specifically the type called Porphyra umbilicalis.
Phycoerythrin Subtypes - There are also subtypes of phycoerythrin,
referred to with either R, C, or B prefixes, present in some red seaweeds. For example: Gracilaria tikvahiae contains R-phycoerythrin,
Ceramium rubrum contains C-Phycoerythrin, and Porphyridium cruentum contains B-phycoerythrin.
Phycocyanin - Its presence is usually associated with bluish colour in algae.
An example of a red seaweed species that contains phycocyanin is Antithamnionella spirographidis.
Phycocyanin Subtype - C-phycocyanin can be found in red algae
like Antithamnionella spirographidis.
Allophycocyanin - This phycobiliprotein is generally less abundant in red
seaweed than phycoerythrin. Species of Gracilaria, a red seaweed widely used for agar production, contain allophycocyanin.
The extraction process, including the solvents and methods used, can influence the concentration and types of phycobiliproteins present in the final extract.
It is often the case that a balance needs to be found between fully-extracting all phycobiliproteins while also ensuring that the compounds that are
obtained are of a high quality and not degraded.
At Celignis we have extensive experience in the design and optimisation of extraction protocols for a wide variety of chemical constituents from
many different biomass types. If needed we can also work on processes to separate and purify the target compounds.
Click here to read more about Celignis's Bioprocess Development Services for the extraction of
chemicals from biomass.
€1.6m Funding Success for Celignis in 2024 CBE-JU Calls
We have secured funding for involvement in 4 collaborative research projects
We are delighted to announce that Celignis has been successful in 4 project proposals submitted for funding to the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) programme.
These projects will provide funding of 1.6m EUR to Celignis over the next few years and build upon the 3 projects (worth 1.5m EUR) we secured last year and the 4 previous CBE/BBI projects that Celignis participated in.
Details on the projects are provided below:
WoodVALOR - This RIA project concerns the valorisation of contaminated/post-consumer wood waste (WW) via: (i) thermal conversion to biochar; and (ii) fractionation followed by conversions to paints & coatings ingredients. Celignis is involved in the chemo-enzymatic fractionation of decontaminated wood (DW) to sequentially extract/purify lignin and hemicellulose, and in developing hemicellulose-based emulsifiers/stabilizers and binder monomers for industrial formulations. Additionally, Celignis is involved in metals/mineral recovery from decontamination wastewater using
New Publication from a Celignis Bioprocess Development Project
The article, available in "Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery" is entitled "Process development for efficient pectin extraction from tobacco residues and its characterisation"
We are please to announce the publication of a peer-reviewed scientific article based on some of the research outputs of a Bioprocess Development Service (BDS) project undertaken by Celignis.
The article, entitled "Process development for efficient pectin extraction from tobacco residues and its characterisation" details the results of experiments targeting the optimised extraction of pectin from the laminae of a number of different varieties of tobacco plants. These tobacco-derived pectins were found to have a medium molecular weight and low methoxy content and our findings indicated that this feedstock could be suitable for the production of pectin with dietary applications.
Meeting takes place at the coordinator's (ITA) headquarters in Zaragoza, SPAIN
Celignis personnel are today attending the kick-off meeting of the CBE-JU project MANUREFINERY at the facilities of the project's coordinator (ITA) in Zaragoza, Spain.
MANUREFINERY concerns the development of a small, decentralised, modular biorefinery concept for farms that converts manure and ammonia emissions into seven marketable bio-ingredients (animal-feed proteins, caproic acid, and fertiliser salts/ashes). The solution integrates fixed/mobile units across three valorisation lines (gas, liquid, solid) and a digital twin for optimisation and scale-up, targeting TRL6-7 validation on four EU demo farms.
Celignis has a number of key roles in the project, including:
- Comprehensive analysis of the feedstocks and products of the process.
Meeting takes place at the coordinator's (AIMPLAS) headquarters in Valencia, Spain
PROMOFER, is an Innovation Action project funded by the CBE-JU, under topic HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-03 (Improve Fermentation Processes (Including Downstream Purification) To Final Bio-Based Products).
This project started in June 2024 with Celignis, an SME partner and full industry BIC member, playing a pivotal role in the project. Our core activities include undertaking the pre-treatment and hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass at scaled-up (TRL7, 1 m3) volumes. The resulting sugars are then provided to other partners for downstream fermentations.
Today Celignis's CIO Lalitha is attending the kick-off meeting of the project, at coordinator AIMPLAS's headquarters in Valencia, Spain.
We're attending the kick-off meeting for BIONEER in Trondheim, Norway (SINTEF)
Lalitha is attending the kick-off meeting of our CBE-JU project BIONEER, located at the coordinator's (SINTEF) premises in Trondheim, Norway.
BIONEER has the title "Scaled-up Production of Next-Generation Carbohydrate-Derived Building Blocks to Enhance the Competitiveness of a Sustainable European Chemicals Industry". It is a 4-year Innovation Action project with 7.5m EUR of funding provided by the CBE-JU.
Celignis plays a key role in BIONEER, being responsible for the scaled-up (TRL7) production of platform chemicals.
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