Organic Phycocyanin

What is organic phycocyanin powder?

Organic phycocyanin is a blue phycobiliprotein pigment complex — the primary blue colorant in Spirulina platensis (blue-green algae). It consists of α and β subunits covalently bound to a linear tetrapyrrole chromophore called phycocyanobilin, which absorbs light at λmax 620 nm and emits bright blue fluorescence at λem 650 nm. This gives phycocyanin its vivid blue color and unique bioactive properties unmatched by any synthetic alternative.

Organic Way’s phycocyanin is extracted using a proprietary water-based process — no ethanol, hexane, or other synthetic solvents. The extract is then concentrated and spray-dried to produce a free-flowing blue powder.

Four Concentration Grades for Every Application:

• Food Standard (≥20%, E620 ≥200): Cost-effective grade for beverages, confectionery, RTD drinks, and ice cream. Purity ratio A620/A280 ≥3.5.
• High-Purity Food (≥35%, E620 ≥350): Premium grade for tablets, capsules, and high-end supplements. Superior color yield per gram.
• Cosmetic Grade (≥15%, E620 ≥150): Stricter microbial limits (TPC <100 CFU/g) and lower heavy metal thresholds per ICP-MS. Suitable for face masks, serums, and haircare.
• Research/Pharma Grade (≥50%, E620 ≥500): Highest purity for clinical research, fluorescence studies (λex 620nm / λem 650nm), and advanced nutraceutical formulations.

Why Phycocyanin is the Premium Clean-Label Blue:

• ORAC ≥30,000 µmol TE/g — antioxidant capacity 10× higher than most common plant extracts
• Natural anti-inflammatory activity — C-phycocyanin inhibits COX-2 and TNF-α pathways (peer-reviewed literature)
• pH stability range: 4.0–8.0 — stable across most beverage and food matrices
• Fluorescence properties —The only naturally occurring blue fluorescent pigment, used for biological labeling and scientific research.
• Dual-functionality: simultaneously a colorant AND a bioactive ingredient — a claim no synthetic blue can make

Critical Compliance Note — Cyanotoxin and Heavy Metal Testing:

Spirulina platensis is a cyanobacterium capable of bioaccumulating heavy metals from its cultivation medium and producing hepatotoxic microcystins under stress conditions. Organic Way’s phycocyanin uses controlled, single-species closed cultivation systems to prevent contamination. Every batch is tested by ICP-MS for Pb, As, Cd, Hg (below Prop 65 / EFSA thresholds) and by ELISA + HPLC for microcystin-LR (<1 µg/g food grade; <0.5 µg/g cosmetic grade). COA with full testing data available on request.

For EU market entry: verify Novel Food status per EFSA Regulation 2015/2283. For US market: GRAS self-affirmed dossier or FDA GRAS No Objection Letter available on request.

Production & Quality Assurance:

1. Certified organic Spirulina platensis sourcing (USDA NOP / EU 834/2007)
2. Incoming testing: microcystin screen (ELISA), heavy metals (ICP-MS), moisture
3. Water-based extraction at controlled temperature (≤40°C) — no solvents used
4. Membrane filtration → spray drying
5. Lot-specific COA: phycocyanin content, E620 value, purity ratio, moisture, heavy metals, microbiology, microcystins
6. Third-party verification (SGS / Eurofins) available on request

Technical Specifications

Four-Grade Comparison

Parameter	Food Standard	High-Purity Food	Cosmetic	Research/Pharma	Test Method
Phycocyanin Content	≥20%	≥35%	≥15%	≥50%	A620/A652 ratio
Color Value (E620)	≥200	≥350	≥150	≥500	EU/FAO color value
Purity Ratio (A620/A280)	≥3.5	≥4.0	≥3.0	≥5.0	UV-Vis spectrophotometry
Solubility	≥95% cold/hot water	≥97% cold/hot water	≥98% water/glycerin	≥99% water	USP <467>
pH Stability Range	4.0–8.0 (blue)	4.0–8.0 (vivid blue)	3.5–9.0 (blue-green)	3.5–8.5	Buffer titration
Moisture	≤6.0%	≤5.0%	≤5.0%	≤4.0%	Karl Fischer
Ash	≤8.0%	≤6.0%	≤6.0%	≤4.0%	AOAC 942.05
Lead (Pb)	<0.1 ppm	<0.1 ppm	<0.05 ppm	<0.05 ppm	ICP-MS
Arsenic (As, total)	<0.1 ppm	<0.1 ppm	<0.05 ppm	<0.05 ppm	ICP-MS
Cadmium (Cd)	<0.1 ppm	<0.1 ppm	<0.05 ppm	<0.05 ppm	ICP-MS
Mercury (Hg)	<0.05 ppm	<0.05 ppm	<0.02 ppm	<0.02 ppm	ICP-MS
Microcystin-LR	<1 µg/g	<1 µg/g	<0.5 µg/g	<0.5 µg/g	ELISA + HPLC
ORAC Value	≥30,000 µmol TE/g	≥40,000 µmol TE/g	N/A	≥50,000 µmol TE/g	ORAC assay
Color Appearance	Blue powder	Deep blue powder	Blue-green powder	Brilliant blue powder	Visual
Particle Size	80–200 mesh	100–200 mesh	100–200 mesh	100–200 mesh	Sieve
Typical Application	Beverages, confectionery	Supplements, tablets	Cosmetics, skincare	Research, clinical	—

Microbiological Specifications

Parameter	Food Grade (Standard / High-Purity)	Cosmetic Grade	Test Method
Total Plate Count (TPC)	≤1,000 CFU/g / ≤500 CFU/g	≤100 CFU/g	ISO 4833
Yeast & Mold	≤100 CFU/g	≤50 CFU/g	ISO 21527
Coliform	≤10 CFU/g	Negative/g	ISO 4832
E. coli	Negative/1g	Negative/1g	ISO 16654
Salmonella	Negative/25g	Negative/25g	ISO 6579
Staphylococcus aureus	Negative/1g	Negative/1g	ISO 6888

Heavy Metals, Contaminants & Cyanotoxin Compliance

Parameter	Specification	Regulatory Standard
Lead (Pb)	<0.1 ppm (food) / <0.05 ppm (cosmetic)	Prop 65 / EFSA / Codex
Arsenic (As, total)	<0.1 ppm (food) / <0.05 ppm (cosmetic)	Prop 65
Cadmium (Cd)	<0.1 ppm	EU Regulation 2023/915
Mercury (Hg)	<0.05 ppm	Prop 65
Microcystin-LR	<1 µg/g (food) / <0.5 µg/g (cosmetic)	WHO guideline / EFSA
Residual Solvents	ND (water extraction only)	ICH Q3C / GC-MS
Pesticide Residues	ND (per EC 396/2005)	GC-MS/MS

Certifications

Certification	Issuing Body	Scope
USDA Organic	USDA NOP (via accredited certifier)	Production + processing
EU Organic	EU Reg. (EC) No 834/2007	Import + sale in EU
JAS Organic	Japanese Agricultural Standards	Japan market
Non-GMO Project Verified	Non-GMO Project	Raw material + finished product
Kosher	OU / Star-K (lot-specific)	Processing facility
Halal	MUI / IFRC (lot-specific)	Processing facility
Vegan / Vegan Action	Vegan Society	100% plant-based
Gluten-Free	GFCO	Verified gluten-free
GRAS	Self-affirmed / FDA notification	US food use — confirm status on inquiry

⚠️ EU Novel Food Note: Under EFSA Regulation 2015/2283, phycocyanin as a Spirulina extract may require Novel Food authorization for commercial sale in the EU. Verify current authorization status before EU market entry.

Applications & Formulation Guidance

Application	Recommended Grade	Typical Addition	Notes
Functional Beverages / RTD	Food Standard (≥20%)	0.5–2.0%	Blue label appeal; pH 4.0–7.0 optimal
Protein Shakes / Sports Nutrition	Food Standard or High-Purity	1.0–3.0%	Clean-label natural blue; no FD&C artificial dye
Ice Cream / Frozen Desserts	Food Standard	0.3–1.0%	Blue swirl/ripple effect
Confectionery (gummies, marshmallows)	High-Purity Food	0.5–1.5%	Natural blue alternative to FD&C Blue No.1
Pasta / Noodles / Colored Grains	Food Standard	0.5–1.0%	Blue-purple spiral pasta
Tablet / Capsule Coating	High-Purity Food	1.0–3.0%	Premium natural appearance
Face Masks / Skincare	Cosmetic Grade	0.5–2.0%	Anti-inflammatory, soothing
Haircare (shampoo, conditioner)	Cosmetic Grade	0.2–1.0%	Blue-tinged natural ingredient claim
Pet Treats / Premium Pet Food	Food Standard	0.5–2.0%	Human-grade natural colorant for premium pet brands
Fluorescence Research / Biotech	Research/Pharma Grade	Per protocol	λex 620nm / λem 650nm
Sauces & Dressings	Food Standard	0.3–0.8%	Blue condiment (mix with yellow = green)

Stability Notes:

• pH: Optimal blue color at pH 4.0–8.0. Below pH 3.5: turns greenish-blue. Above pH 9.5: degrades to yellow-green.
• Temperature: Pasteurization (72°C, 15s) retains ~85% activity. UHT (>130°C) degrades 40–50%. For hot-fill beverages, consider post-addition or microencapsulation.
• Light: Direct sunlight degrades ~30% in 2 hours. Use opaque or amber packaging.
• Freeze-thaw: Stable through 5 cycles — suitable for frozen applications.
• Preservatives: Vitamin C and citric acid enhance retention in acidic systems.

FAQs

Packing

Format	Net Weight	MOQ	Notes
Aluminum foil pouch (inner PE)	1 kg	25 kg	Standard; moisture barrier
Aluminum foil pouch (inner PE)	5 kg	25 kg	Standard; moisture barrier
Kraft paper bag (inner PE liner)	25 kg	25 kg	Export packaging
White woven PP bag	25 kg	25 kg	Humid climates
Private-label retail	100g / 500g / 1kg	200 kg	Retail / Amazon
GMP bottle (pharmaceutical grade)	100g / 500g	100 kg	Research/Pharma grade

Storage Conditions: ≤25°C, RH ≤60%, sealed, away from direct sunlight and strong odors. Protect from heat and humidity. Shelf life: 24 months from manufacture date (sealed). After opening: reseal immediately; use within 3 months. Do not freeze in glass containers.