Usage of phycocyanin obtained from cyanobacteria

Phycocyanin obtained from cyanobacteria is a natural blue pigment which is oderless, non-toxic, water soluble and strongly fluorescent. It is used as a colorant in food, pharmaceutics and cosmetic industries. Apart from natural coloring, it used as fluorescent probe in microscopy, cytometry, immunology, tissue chemistry studies due to its flourescent property. In addition, there is also a potential for its use in nutraceutics and pharmaceutics owing to its antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. In this context, there has been inceasing interest in production and potential uses of phycocyanin. This review provides information about structure, exraction, purification and areas of usage of phycocyanin.