Investigation of the functions and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of phycobiliprotein pigments extracted from Spirulina and Gracilaria

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student in Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

2 Associate Professor in Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

3 Ph.D. Student in Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

4 PhD in Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Guilan

10.22124/japb.2026.31694.1578

Abstract

Phycobiliproteins, a class of natural bioactive compounds derived from various organisms such as red algae and cyanobacteria, have gained significant attention due to their diverse biological activities. This study investigated the structures of two pigments, phycocyanin and phycoerythrin, their optical spectral characteristics, ability to scavenge free radicals, exert antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These pigments were extracted from Spirulina platensis and Gracilaria gracilis. The extraction process involved freeze-thaw cycles followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis for partial purification. Spectroscopic analysis revealed maximum absorption for phycocyanin at 620nm and for phycoerythrin at 495 and 545nm. The SDS-PAGE band pattern confirmed the presence of α and β subunits (18–20kDa) and the γ subunit (31kDa). FTIR spectra also indicated the presence of biological functional groups, including amide I at 1644cm-1 and tetrapyrrole structures. The DPPH assay confirmed the antioxidant activity of both pigments. The free radical scavenging percentages were reported as 59% for phycoerythrin and 42% for phycocyanin. The disc diffusion assay demonstrated that both pigments possessed antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The highest activity against the Gram-positive bacterium, S. aureus, was observed with phycoerythrin, while phycocyanin showed the highest inhibitory effect against the Gram-negative bacterium, E. coli. These results demonstrate the high potential of these pigments for pharmaceutical, industrial and food applications.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Aquatic Physiology and Biotechnology
Volume 13, Issue 4
April 2026
Pages 1-28

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