Premio Intellectual Property Award 2021 - Rapid Purification of Phycobiliproteins

Phycobiliproteins are water-soluble non-toxic, pigment-proteins produced by some microalgae that have strong antioxidant activity. We have devised a cutting-edge technology using membrane chromatography to get high purity pigments, especially bright blue phycocyanin from Spirulina. Phycocyanin has biotechnological applications in many sectors, from food to biomedicine. The commercial value of phycocyanin depends on its purity and the brightness of its colour. This means that a sustainable way to get high purity phycocyanin is of great industrial interest. The National Research Council of Italy is working on the process for commercial applications in collaboration with the company Plastica Alfa. we expect that our technology will actually be a game changer in the phycocyanin market, lowering the retail price and boosting the spread of pigment-based products and other high purity phycocyanin-based new applications.