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1: J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2006 Mar 20;833(1):12-8. Epub 2005 Nov 2.Click here to read Links

Purification and characterization of phycocyanin from the blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae.

Benedetti S, Rinalducci S, Benvenuti F, Francogli S, Pagliarani S, Giorgi L, Micheloni M, D'Amici GM, Zolla L, Canestrari F.

Institute of Histology and Laboratory Analyses, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Zeppi, Urbino 61029, PU, Italy. s.benedetti@uniurb.it

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a blue-green alga and represents a nutrient-dense food source. In this study the presence of phycocyanin (PC), a blue protein belonging to the photosynthetic apparatus, has been demonstrated in AFA. An efficient method for its separation has been set up: PC can be purified by a simple single step chromatographic run using a hydroxyapatite column (ratio A620/A280 of 4.78), allowing its usage for health-enhancing properties while eliminating other aspecific algal components. Proteomic investigation and HPLC analysis of purified AFA phycobilisomes revealed that, contrary to the well-characterized Synechocystis and Spirulina spp., only one type of biliprotein is present in phycobilisomes: phycocyanins with no allo-phycocyanins. Two subunit polypeptides of PC were also separated: the beta subunit containing two bilins as chromophore and the alpha subunit containing only one.

PMID: 16266834 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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