Phycobiliproteins from cyanobacteria: Chemistry and biotechnological applications

Fernando Pagels; A Catarina Guedes; Helena M Amaro; Anake Kijjoa; Vitor Vasconcelos

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.02.010

Phycobiliproteins from cyanobacteria: Chemistry and biotechnological applications

Biotechnol Adv. 2019 May-Jun;37(3):422-443. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.02.010. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Authors

Fernando Pagels¹, A Catarina Guedes², Helena M Amaro², Anake Kijjoa³, Vitor Vasconcelos⁴

Affiliations

¹ CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
² CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
³ CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; ICBAS - Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: ankijjoa@icbas.up.pt.
⁴ CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: vmvvascon@fc.up.pt.

PMID: 30797095
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.02.010

Abstract

Phycobiliproteins are a group of water soluble proteins with an associated chromophore, responsible for the light-harvesting in cyanobacteria. They are divided in four main types: phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, phycoerythrocyanin and allophycocyanin, and they are characterized according to their structure and light quality absorption. Phycobiliproteins from cyanobacteria have been described as potential bioactive compounds, and recognized as high-valued natural products for biotechnological applications. Moreover, phycobiliproteins have been associated to antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory capacities among others. Thus, in order to produce phycobiliproteins from cyanobacteria for industrial application, it is necessary to optimize the whole bioprocess, including the processing parameters (such as light, nitrogen and carbon source, pH, temperature and salinity) that affects the growth and phycobiliprotein accumulation, as well as the optimization of phycobiliproteins extraction and purification. The aim of this review is to give an overview of phycobiliproteins not only in terms of their chemistry, but also in terms of their biotechnological applicability and the advances and challenges in the production of such compounds.

Keywords: Bioactivity; Extraction; Phycocyanin; Phycocyanobilin; Production; Purification.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Biotechnology / trends*
Cyanobacteria / chemistry*
Phycobilins / chemistry
Phycobiliproteins / biosynthesis
Phycobiliproteins / chemistry*
Phycobiliproteins / genetics
Phycocyanin / chemistry
Phycoerythrin / chemistry

Substances

Phycobilins
Phycobiliproteins
allophycocyanin
phycoerythrocyanin
Phycocyanin
Phycoerythrin