Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The blue-green microalgae Spirulina, used in human nutrition for centuries, includes phycobiliproteins such as C-phycocyanin (CPC) and allophycocyanin (APC). Assessing their unique bioactivities separately is difficult as they have similar properties, such as molecular weight and isoelectric point. In the present study, we aimed to separate CPC and APC and to evaluate their bioactivities. CPC and APC were separated using a hydrophobic membrane and ammonium sulfate, which promotes reversible and specific protein binding to the membrane. Spectroscopic analysis, HPLC, and SDS-PAGE revealed a successful separation of CPC and APC. Their bioactivities were evaluated through CCK- 8 assays for anticancer activity, radical scavenging assays for antioxidant activity, and albumin denaturation assays for anti-inflammatory activity, respectively. RESULTS: The results revealed that highly purified APC showed 40% higher anticancer activity than the control, whereas CPC increased the viability of cancer cells, resulting in a 30% decrease in anticancer activity compared to the control. In contrast, highly purified CPC showed approximately 25% higher antioxidant activity and twice as much anti-inflammatory activity as APCs; moreover, the presence of both showed higher antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: This study provides important insights into the unique bioactivities of CPC and APC for their appropriate application as anticancer, antiphlogistic, and antioxidant agents.
Authors: Jimin Na, Soobin Jang, Myeongkwan Song, SeungEun Nam, Woon-Yong Choi, Hwasung Shin, Soonjo Kwon, Youngbin Baek
Language: English
Subfield: Aquatic Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
Awards: G1415496987, G1665723188, G8175728754
OpenAlex ID: W4409488659