title: Purification and characterization of phycocyanin from the blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Histology and Laboratory Analyses, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Zeppi, Urbino 61029, PU, Italy. s.benedetti@uniurb.it
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rinalducci
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benvenuti
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Francogli
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pagliarani
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Micheloni
authors.forename: Gian Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: D'Amici
authors.forename: Lello
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zolla
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Canestrari
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000737:chemistry*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010798:Phycocyanin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
chemical_list: D010798:Phycocyanin