Value-Added Products from Microalgae - Biotechnological Applications of Microalgae - page 144

These phycobiliproteins are geometrically incorporated into structures called
phycobilisomes, which are located on the outer surface of the thylakoid membranes.

10.2.2.1 Commercial Applications of Phycobiliproteins
The two most commercially exploited genera (Table 10.4) are the cyanobacte-
rium Arthrospira sp. ( Spirulina sp.) and the rhodophyte Porphyridium sp., which
are responsible for the production of phycocyanin and phycoerythrin, respectively
(Spolaore et al., 2006; Sekar and Chandramohan, 2008). Other commercially pro-
duced genera include Rhodella sp . and Spirulina fusiformis .
Powerful spectral properties make them suitable for use as highly sensitive
fluorescent reagents in clinical or research immunology laboratories (Pulz and
Gross, 2004; Spoalore et al., 2006; Sekar and Chandramohan, 2008; U.S. DOE,
2010; and Milledge, 2011). They also function as labels for antibodies and recep-
tors among other biological molecules in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter and are
used in immunolabeling experiments and fluorescence microscopy and diagnostics
(Spoalore et al., 2006; Sekar and Chandramohan, 2008). A number of multinational
companies (Table 10.5) have been contributing to the algal phycobiliprotein market,
which is targeted at the medical and biotechnology research industry (Eriksen, 2008;
Sekar and Chandramohan, 2008).
A Japan-based company, Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, is responsible for devel-
oping a product coined “Lina Blue,” which is used extensively in the food indus-
try (in chewing gum, ice slush, popsicles, candies, soft drinks, dairy products, and
wasabi). A derivative of this pigment is also sold as a colorant for cosmetics such as

TABLE 10.5
Phycobiliprotein Products in the Commercial
Sector and Medical and Biotechnology Research

Properties Reported in Patents Commercial Distributors

Phycobiliproteins as fluorescent
labels, tags, and markers

Cyanotech Corporation

PROzyme Inc.
Pierce Biotechnology Inc.
Dojindo Molecular Technologies
Flogen ®
ANAspec Inc.
Martek Bioscience Corporation
Invitrogen-Molecular Probes

Phycobiliprotein conjugates Vector Laboratories

Martek Bioscience Corporation
Invitrogen-Molecular Probes
Europa Bioproducts

Stabilized phycobilisome Martek Bioscience Corporation

Source: Adapted from Sekar and Chandramohan (2008).