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.
Celignis will be presenting their outputs from the first 12-months of the project
Celignis's Oscar and Fernando are today attending the 12-month review meeting of our CBE-JU research project MANUREFINERY. The event is taking place at the facility of project partner ENCO in Naples, Italy.
MANUREFINERY, entitled "Smart modular mobile biorefining of manure to zero-waste maximising resource recovery for feed and fertiliser bioingredients in rural areas" is one of the 7 ongoing CBE-JU projects that Celignis is currently involved in. Click here to read more about these projects.
Today we welcomed our partners from the EnXylaScope project to Limerick for the final in-person meeting of the project. The event is being held at the Limerick Strand Hotel and will include a tour of Celignis's Bioprocess and Analytical facilities.
EnXylaScope has been a hugely successful project, leading to multiple innovations in enzyme discovery and biomass processing, with Celignis making impactful developments in technologies for xylan extraction and modification. The project's success has led to a number of follow-on projects (BIONEER and PROMOFER) that involve demonstration of these technologies at higher TRL levels.
Lalitha Presents our EnXylaScope Work at EUBCE 2025
Event takes place in Valencia Spain
Lalitha is today presenting the outputs of our EnXylaScope project at the 34th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE) which is being held in Valencia, Spain.
The presentation, entitled "EnXylaScope: Unleashing xylan's potential with enzymes for a scope of consumer products", will provide a wide-ranging overview of the project which is now in its 4th year.
Today we registered sample number 50,000 on our internal LIMS system. Over the years we have analysed every kind of biomass sample imagineable and we look forward to achieving further milestones in the future as we continue to grow and expand our operations.
Will play a key role as our "Mechanical Engineer for Scaled-up Bioprocesses"
Today the Celignis family welcomed Dileep Raveendran-Nair to the fold. Dileep is a Mechanical Engineer with over 11 years of hands-on experience in biofuel, biochar, and bioproduct process engineering. His career has focused on the operation, maintenance, and optimization of large-scale bioprocess and bioenergy systems, integrating engineering precision with biotechnological innovation to advance sustainable industrial application.
At Celignis he will play a key-role ("Mechanical Engineer for Scaled-up Bioprocesses") in the development of our bioprocessing capabilities as we increase the Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of our bioprocessing facility to TRL7 and cubic-metre reactors.
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