Spirulina Phycocyanin (C-PC)

Spirulina Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a water-soluble biliprotein pigment-protein complex constituting approximately 15–25% of the dry weight of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) biomass. Key bioactive compounds: C-Phycocyanin protein (~620 kDa hexameric form) with covalently attached phycocyanobilin (PCB) chromophores at approximately 1–2 chromophores per α-subunit and 2–3 per β-subunit, yielding roughly 5–8% PCB by weight of the holoprotein. Protein content of purified C-PC is >95% by weight, composed of α (~18.5 kDa) and β (~21.5 kDa) subunits in equimolar ratios; amino acid profile is rich in essential amino acids including leucine (~7–9%), valine (~5–6%), and lysine (~4–5%). Micronutrients present in trace amounts from co-extraction include iron (0.5–2.0 mg/g of crude extract), selenium (0.01–0.05 mg/g), zinc (0.1–0.5 mg/g), and chromium (trace). Vitamins are minimal in purified C-PC but crude spirulina-derived extracts may carry residual B-vitamins (B12 analog at ~0.5–2.0 µg/g, though largely pseudovitamin B12 with limited bioavailability). The primary bioactive chromophore phycocyanobilin (a linear tetrapyrrole structurally analogous to biliverdin) is responsible for the majority of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, with concentrations of approximately 40–80 mg per gram of purified C-PC. C-PC exhibits strong absorbance at 615–620 nm with a purity ratio (A620/A280) of ≥0.7 for food-grade, ≥3.9 for analytical-grade. Bioavailability notes: C-PC is orally bioavailable but susceptible to proteolytic degradation in the GI tract, reducing effective absorption of the intact holoprotein to an estimated 20–40%; however, the released phycocyanobilin chromophore retains bioactivity and is absorbed more readily. Encapsulation or enteric coating can improve bioavailability by 2–3 fold. C-PC is heat-sensitive (degradation begins above 45–50°C at neutral pH) and most stable at pH 5.0–7.0. Caloric contribution is negligible at typical supplemental doses (100–500 mg/day). No significant lipid, carbohydrate, or dietary fiber content in purified preparations.