Phycocyanin CAS 11016-15-2 Natural Blue Pigment Spirulina Extract E6 E18 E25 Food and Cosmetic Grade Colorant
Keywords: phycocyanin, C-phycocyanin, spirulina extract, natural blue colorant, phycocyanin E18
Product Overview
Phycocyanin is a naturally derived water soluble blue pigment protein belonging to the phycobiliprotein family, extracted and purified from the biomass of Arthrospira platensis, commonly known as spirulina. It appears as a deep blue to bright blue fine powder that dissolves readily in water to give a clean, vivid blue solution. Because true blue is one of the scarcest shades among natural colorants, phycocyanin is widely adopted in food, beverage, confectionery, dairy, cosmetic and nutraceutical formulations where a bright natural blue is required.
Key Attributes
| Product Name | Phycocyanin (C-Phycocyanin) |
| CAS No. | 11016-15-2 |
| Source | Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) biomass |
| Chemical Family | Phycobiliprotein, water soluble pigment protein |
| Molecular Weight | Approximately 70,000 to 110,000 Da for the native pigment protein |
| Appearance | Deep blue to bright blue fine powder |
| Available Grades | E3, E6, E18, E25 and higher purity analytical grades |
| Absorption Maximum | 615 to 620 nm |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, approximately 14 mg/mL; insoluble in alcohol and in oils |
| Isoelectric Point | pH 3.4 |
| pH Working Range | Colour remains stable between pH 4.5 and 8.0 |
| Storage Condition | Store at 2 to 8 C in a tightly closed container, protected from light and moisture |
Key Highlights
- RARE NATURAL BLUE: Delivers a clean, bright blue shade from a microalgae based source, covering one of the most difficult colour gaps in natural formulation work.
- FULL GRADE RANGE: Supplied in E3, E6, E18 and E25 colour value grades as well as high purity analytical grades, so one supplier can cover both mass production and laboratory demand.
- WATER SOLUBLE, EASY TO DISPERSE: Dissolves directly in water to form a clear blue solution, no emulsifier or carrier needed for aqueous systems.
- PROTEIN BASED INGREDIENT: As a pigment protein it also contributes amino acids to the formulation, which makes it attractive for functional food and supplement concepts.
- BATCH TO BATCH CONSISTENCY: Every batch is released with a certificate of analysis covering colour value, purity ratio and appearance.
- FLEXIBLE ORDER QUANTITY: Minimum order quantity of 1 kg, suitable for pilot trials as well as regular production schedules.
- SHORT LEAD TIME: Stock grades are normally shipped within 2 weeks after order confirmation.
Product Description
Phycocyanin, also written as C-phycocyanin and registered under CAS 11016-15-2, is the principal blue phycobiliprotein of cyanobacteria. Dideu Group supplies phycocyanin obtained from cultivated Arthrospira platensis biomass through aqueous extraction followed by purification and spray or freeze drying. The finished material is a fine deep blue powder that redissolves completely in water.
The colour strength of phycocyanin is expressed as colour value, measured as E(1%, 1cm) at 618 nm, and the commercial grades E3, E6, E18 and E25 are named after this value. Purity is additionally reported as the absorbance ratio A615/A280 or A620/A280, where a ratio near 0.7 corresponds to food grade material and a ratio of 3.5 or above corresponds to analytical and ultra pure grades used in research and labelling work. Higher colour value grades deliver more tinting strength per kilogram, allowing lower dosing in the final formulation.
Phycocyanin is a protein and therefore behaves differently from synthetic dyes. It keeps its blue shade in neutral and mildly acidic systems between pH 4.5 and 8.0, while strong acid, strong alkali, prolonged heating and intense light gradually reduce the colour. For best results it is added at the end of the process, after any high temperature step, in systems close to neutral pH.
Dideu Group supplies the standard food and cosmetic grades on a regular production schedule. Minimum order quantity is 1 kg, with typical lead time within 2 weeks after order confirmation. Each shipment is accompanied by a certificate of analysis and a technical data sheet.
Applications
Food and Beverage
Used as a natural blue colourant in beverages, fruit drinks, sports drinks, jelly, puddings and bakery fillings, giving a bright blue tone in systems close to neutral pH.
Confectionery and Desserts
Applied in hard and soft candy, gummies, toffee type candy, chewing gum, marshmallow, icing and sugar coating where a stable natural blue is required.
Dairy and Frozen Products
Suitable for ice cream, ice lolly, frozen dessert, flavoured milk, yoghurt and cream based products, added after pasteurisation to protect the colour.
Cosmetics and Personal Care
Functions as a natural blue colourant in soap, bath products, shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, lotion, mask and decorative cosmetics.
Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements
Incorporated into tablets, capsules, powder blends and functional drinks, valued both for its blue colour and for its protein and amino acid content.
Biotechnology and Research
High purity analytical grades are used as a fluorescent marker in immunoassay and flow based detection, as a reference pigment in photosynthesis research and as a biochemical reagent in laboratory studies.
Other Applications
May also be used in craft and educational colour kits, and as a natural blue component in textile and paper colouring trials.
Specifications
| Item | Specification | Typical Value |
| Appearance | Deep blue to bright blue powder | Complies |
| Colour Value, E(1%, 1cm) at 618 nm | As per ordered grade; E18 not less than 180 | According to grade |
| Purity Ratio A615/A280 | Food grade around 0.7; analytical grade approximately 3.5 to 4.5; ultra pure grade 4.5 or above | According to grade |
| Absorption Maximum | 615 to 620 nm | 618 nm |
| Solubility in Water | Soluble, forming a clear blue solution | Complies |
| Colour Stability pH Range | pH 4.5 to 8.0 | Complies |
Grade Selection Guide
| Grade | Positioning | Typical Use |
| E3 and E6 | Entry colour value grades | General food and beverage colouring where high dosage is acceptable |
| E18 | Standard food and cosmetic grade | Confectionery, dairy, cosmetics and supplement formulations |
| E25 | High colour value grade | Premium products needing strong tinting strength at lower dosage |
| Analytical grade | High purity, purity ratio approximately 3.5 to 4.5 | Research reagent, fluorescent marker, reference standard |
Packaging and Shipping
| Packaging Type | Standard Sizes |
| Aluminium foil bag with inner polyethylene liner | 1 kg, 5 kg |
| Fibre drum with inner liner | 10 kg, 25 kg |
| Small pack for laboratory and evaluation use | 10 g, 100 g, 500 g |
Storage Recommendations
- Store at 2 to 8 C for long term keeping.
- Keep the container tightly closed after each use.
- Protect from light and from moisture.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to high temperature during storage and inland transport.
Shipping method: by air or by sea; small quantity orders are shipped by courier.
Lead time: within 2 weeks after order confirmation.
Company Profile
Dideu Group is a professional supplier of fine chemicals, natural extracts and specialty ingredients, serving customers in global markets with a full range of products from lab scale reagents to industrial quantities. Our natural pigment line covers water soluble colourants derived from microalgae and plant sources, supplied to food, beverage, cosmetic, nutraceutical and research customers. Every batch is controlled by in house quality testing and released with a certificate of analysis and a technical data sheet. Our sales and technical team supports customers with grade selection, dosage guidance and documentation for export orders. We aim at long term cooperation built on stable quality, transparent specification and reliable delivery.
FAQ
1. What is the minimum order quantity?
The minimum order quantity is 1 kg. Smaller packs from 10 g are available for laboratory and evaluation use.
2. What is the lead time?
Standard grades are normally ready for shipment within 2 weeks after order confirmation.
3. Which grade should I choose, E6, E18 or E25?
The grade number reflects the colour value at 618 nm, so a higher number means stronger tinting strength and a lower required dosage. E6 suits general food and beverage colouring, E18 is the standard choice for confectionery, dairy and cosmetics, and E25 is preferred for premium products where dosing must stay low. If you share your target shade and product type, Dideu can recommend the most economical grade.
4. What packaging options do you offer?
Phycocyanin is packed in 1 kg and 5 kg aluminium foil bags, and in 10 kg and 25 kg fibre drums, each with an inner polyethylene liner. Small packs of 10 g, 100 g and 500 g are also available for laboratory use.
5. What payment terms do you accept?
We accept T/T and L/C.
6. Do you provide COA and technical documents?
Yes. Every batch is shipped with a certificate of analysis covering colour value, purity ratio and appearance, together with a technical data sheet.
7. How do you ship the goods?
Bulk orders are shipped by air or by sea, while small quantity orders go by courier.
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