Production, Purification, and Stabilization of Phycocyanin: Optimizing Laboratory Processes and Expanding Industrial Applications.
BACKGROUND Phycocyanin (PC), a vibrant blue accessory pigment-protein complex predominantly occurring in cyanobacteria, Rhodophyceae, and some cryptophytes, is a key nutritional component contributing to the commercial value of Spirulina as a food supplement. Beyond its nutritional value, PC has distinctive fluorescent properties and diverse physiological activities, giving it broad potential in food, cosmetics, and biomedicine. SUMMARY This study discusses the factors restricting PC yield and comprehensively summarizes PC extraction and purification technologies. The advantages and disadvantages of each technology are compared, and its application prospects in laboratory and industrial production are explored. Natural deep eutectic solvents, which are solvent systems formed from naturally occurring cellular metabolites such as sugars, amino acids, and organic acids, offer safety, simple preparation, low cost, and promising prospects for PC purification compared with several conventional technologies. However, the application scope of PC remains limited by its poor stability and sensitivity to temperature, light, and pH. Therefore, this review also discusses the factors affecting PC stability, strategies for improving stability, and applications of PC in food, healthcare products, and related fields. KEY MESSAGES This comprehensive review and critical assessment of production, purification, and stabilization strategies provides valuable insights for advancing PC research and facilitating its broader, more sustainable utilization across diverse industrial sectors.