Purple Sweet Potato Color , a unique root vegetable, often have a deep purple skin, resembling a delicate application of paint by nature. They are often long, spindle-shaped, and while not smooth, possess a rustic texture. Cutting open a Purple Sweet Potato Color reveals an equally vibrant purple flesh within. The flesh is delicate, firm, and exudes a delicate fragrance, sparking curiosity about the source of its unique color. This mysterious purple color is due to anthocyanins, a natural pigment abundant in Purple Sweet Potato Color. Like a magical painter, these pigments imbue the Purple Sweet Potato Color with its distinctive hue.

Anthocyanins: The “Secret Weapon” of Purple Sweet Potato Color

Powerful Antioxidant Potency

Anthocyanins are a class of water-soluble natural pigments found widely in plants, and the anthocyanins found in Purple Sweet Potato Color are a prime example. They possess remarkable antioxidant power, acting like a valiant guardian, constantly protecting our bodies. During the human body’s metabolic process, free radicals are constantly produced. These extremely active free radicals, like a swarm of rampaging “troublemakers,” can attack cells, disrupting their structure and function, leading to cell damage and aging. The anthocyanins in Purple Sweet Potato Color, like precise “missiles,” quickly bind to these free radicals and neutralize them, effectively reducing free radical damage to cells and slowing the aging process. For example, as we age, the collagen in our skin gradually degrades, causing it to become loose and wrinkled. The antioxidant effects of anthocyanins can slow this loss, maintaining skin’s elasticity and radiance for a more youthful appearance. They also protect various organs in the body, keeping them functioning properly and contributing to better health.

Diverse Health Benefits

Anthocyanins have a multifaceted positive impact on human health. When it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease, they act like a caring “health steward.” Studies have shown that regularly consuming foods rich in anthocyanins can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because anthocyanins can enhance the elasticity of blood vessel walls, making them stronger and less prone to rupture. They can also lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce cholesterol deposition on blood vessel walls, thereby effectively preventing the formation of atherosclerosis. A long-term follow-up study of a large population showed that those with a higher intake of anthocyanins in their daily diet had a significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease than those with a lower intake. Anthocyanins can be considered the “guardian” of the eyes when it comes to improving vision. For modern people who frequently use electronic devices for extended periods, eye fatigue, dryness, and even vision loss can occur. Anthocyanins can promote the regeneration of rhodopsin in retinal cells, a substance crucial for vision. Its increased production increases light sensitivity, enhances vision, and relieves eye fatigue and discomfort. Studies examining individuals with poor vision have found that supplementing with anthocyanins significantly improved their vision and alleviated symptoms of eye fatigue. The anthocyanins in purple sweet potatoes, with their unique health benefits, offer valuable health benefits.

A Journey to Extracting Natural Pigments from Purple Sweet Potato Color

A Comprehensive Review of Common Extraction Methods

There are currently several methods for extracting natural pigments from Purple Sweet Potato Color, each with its own unique principles and procedures.
Organic solvent extraction is a relatively common method. It utilizes the principle of like dissolves like. Most factories use organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, or mixtures of these as solvents. Imagine the anthocyanins in Purple Sweet Potato Color as a group of “little guests,” and the organic solvent as their preferred “home.” When the Purple Sweet Potato Color is mixed with the organic solvent, the anthocyanins dissolve into the solvent. Adjusting the pH of the solution facilitates the extraction of the anthocyanins from the Purple Sweet Potato Color. To extract the anthocyanins, the Purple Sweet Potato Color is first pre-treated, such as washing, peeling, slicing, or crushing. Then, it is mixed with the selected organic solvent in a specific proportion. Stirring or shaking at an appropriate temperature and time allows for full contact between the two. The anthocyanin-containing solution is then separated by filtration or centrifugation. The aqueous solution extraction method typically involves soaking the Purple Sweet Potato Color raw material in polar hot water at elevated temperature and normal pressure, or even directly at elevated pressure, to extract the anthocyanin-rich raw material. This process is similar to brewing tea, where hot water “infuses” the anthocyanins from the Purple Sweet Potato Color. After soaking, the material is then adsorbed under high pressure using a porous polyester resin material with high polarity and very low pressure. Alternatively, the material is directly extracted using polar deoxygenated water or hot water at atmospheric pressure. Ultrafiltration or reactive permeation is then used, followed by concentration at elevated temperatures, to obtain a crude extract. This method is relatively simple and does not require the use of toxic or hazardous organic solvents.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction utilizes the unique properties of ultrasound. Ultrasound is a high-frequency oscillating mechanical wave that generates pressure waves and shear forces when propagating through a liquid. When the Purple Sweet Potato Color is mixed with the extraction solvent, the pressure waves and shear forces act upon the Purple Sweet Potato Color cells under the action of ultrasound, disrupting their cell walls and membranes. This allows the anthocyanins within the cells to be more easily released into the solvent, accelerating the dissolution and diffusion of the extract. During laboratory processing, the processed Purple Sweet Potato Color and the extraction solvent are placed in an ultrasonic cleaner or specialized ultrasonic extraction equipment. Appropriate parameters such as ultrasonic power, frequency, extraction time, and temperature are set. After a period of treatment, the extract is then subjected to subsequent separation and concentration.

Enzymatic extraction utilizes the catalytic action of enzymes to disrupt the structure of Purple Sweet Potato Color cells. Enzymes such as cellulase and pectinase specifically break down cellulose, pectin, and other components in the cell walls and membranes of Purple Sweet Potato Color. This is like using a pair of “small scissors” to precisely cut through the “constraints” of the cell structure, facilitating the release of anthocyanins from the cells. During the extraction process, the Purple Sweet Potato Color is first crushed to an appropriate particle size. Then, the appropriate amount of enzyme and buffer are added. The pH and temperature are adjusted to allow the enzyme to function in a suitable environment. After a period of enzymatic hydrolysis, the reaction solution is further processed to extract the anthocyanins.

Analysis of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Method

Different extraction methods have their own advantages and limitations in terms of extraction yield, cost, environmental impact, and product impact. The organic solvent extraction method works relatively simply, and the performance requirements for production equipment are relatively low, making it easy to implement in some small production enterprises. However, this method has significant drawbacks. Most organic solvents have toxic side effects. Improper handling during the production process can easily harm the health of operators. Furthermore, improper disposal of used organic solvents can pollute the environment. Its organic product extraction yield is generally low, meaning more raw material is required to obtain the same amount of anthocyanins. The crude and refined extracts of Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanin pigments obtained using this method typically contain significant amounts of chemical impurities such as starch, reducing agents, and sugars. This makes it difficult to convert the anthocyanins into a white powder after drying, and the extracted anthocyanins are difficult to refrigerate and store, significantly affecting the chemical quality and properties of the product, often requiring complex subsequent purification.

The greatest advantage of the aqueous solution extraction method is its safety and environmental protection. The entire process does not use toxic or hazardous organic solvents, thus avoiding the environmental pollution and health risks associated with organic solvents. Furthermore, water is a cheap and readily available solvent with a low cost. However, this method also has drawbacks. The extraction process requires high temperatures or pressures, which imposes certain equipment requirements, potentially requiring specialized heating or pressurizing equipment, increasing equipment costs. Extraction under high temperature conditions may disrupt the structure of some anthocyanins, affecting their stability and activity, and thus reducing product quality. The resulting crude extract contains numerous impurities, making subsequent separation and purification more complex and increasing production costs.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction offers significant advantages, enabling rapid and efficient extraction of anthocyanins. Ultrasound quickly disrupts the cell structure of purple sweet potatoes, allowing for rapid release of anthocyanins, significantly shortening extraction time and improving production efficiency. This method offers relatively high extraction yields, fully utilizing the anthocyanin resources in Purple Sweet Potato Color. The process is also relatively simple, requiring only ultrasonic equipment. However, this method has certain equipment requirements, requiring specialized ultrasonic equipment, which can be expensive to purchase. Ultrasonic parameters such as power and frequency significantly influence the extraction process. Improper settings can result in reduced extraction yields and even damage to the anthocyanin structure. Furthermore, research on ultrasound-assisted extraction is still incomplete, and large-scale industrial application still faces technical challenges. Enzymatic extraction is environmentally friendly. Enzymes are biocatalysts that function under mild conditions, produce no harmful substances, and are environmentally friendly. They possess high selectivity, specifically breaking down the cellular structure of Purple Sweet Potato Color, reducing the release of impurities, facilitating subsequent separation and purification, and improving product purity. However, the relatively high price of enzymes increases extraction costs, which to some extent limits the large-scale application of this method. Enzyme activity is easily affected by factors such as temperature and pH. Improper control of reaction conditions can reduce or even inactivate enzyme activity, resulting in poor extraction results. Enzymatic hydrolysis reactions typically take a long time, which also affects production efficiency. Different extraction methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. In practical applications, it is necessary to comprehensively consider various factors based on specific needs and conditions to select the most appropriate extraction method to achieve efficient and green extraction of natural Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments.

The Stability Secret of Purple Sweet Potato Color Natural Pigment
(I) Influence of Environmental Factors
Anthocyanins, the natural pigments in Purple Sweet Potato Color, possess unique charm, but their stability is affected by a variety of environmental factors.
Acidity significantly influences the stability of Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins. Anthocyanins act as acid-base indicators, exhibiting distinct changes in structure and color under varying pH conditions. Under acidic conditions, anthocyanins maintain a relatively stable structure, exhibiting a vibrant red or purple color. Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins maintain a vibrant red color when the solution’s pH ranges from 1 to 4. This is because the acidic environment favors the formation of a stable pyranose cation structure, acting as a protective barrier for the anthocyanins, allowing them to maintain their original color and chemical properties. However, when the environment becomes increasingly alkaline, the anthocyanin’s structure changes, transforming into a quinone anion. Its color also gradually darkens, from purple to blue, or even dark blue. This is like breaking the anthocyanin’s “stability barrier,” severely impacting its stability. Improper pH control during food processing and storage can lead to undesirable color changes in the product.

Light is also a significant factor affecting the stability of Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins. Prolonged exposure to light, especially high-energy light like ultraviolet light, causes anthocyanin molecules to absorb energy and undergo photochemical reactions. High-energy particles in sunlight constantly collide with anthocyanin molecules, gradually destroying their structure and causing the color to gradually fade, or even fade. A study comparing solutions containing Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins in light and dark conditions found that after a period of time, the light-exposed solution significantly lighter in color and significantly reduced its anthocyanin content. However, the dark-protected solution retained its original color and anthocyanin content. This clearly demonstrates the negative impact of light on the stability of Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins. Temperature fluctuations also affect the stability of Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins. Within a relatively low temperature range, such as 5-60°C, Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins are relatively stable, with their structure and properties remaining stable. However, as the temperature rises, the thermal motion of anthocyanin molecules intensifies, altering intermolecular interactions and causing their structure to gradually become unstable. At excessively high temperatures, anthocyanins may degrade, breaking down into other substances and losing their original color and efficacy. During high-temperature cooking, if the temperature is not properly controlled, significant anthocyanin loss can occur. This is why it is important to carefully control the temperature and cooking time to minimize anthocyanin loss.

Oxidants and reducing agents also affect the stability of Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins. Oxidants have strong oxidizing properties and can remove electrons from anthocyanin molecules, causing oxidation reactions that disrupt the anthocyanin structure and reduce its stability. Excessive reducing effects can also affect the structure of anthocyanins, reducing their stability. If additives containing oxidizing or reducing agents are used during food processing, their impact on the stability of Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins must be carefully considered to avoid adverse effects on product quality. Metal ions such as Fe⁺, Cu⁺, Zn⁺, Ca⁺, and Ag⁺ can also affect the stability of Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments, causing varying degrees of decrease in absorbance. Naturally colored metal ions such as Fe⁺ and Cu⁺ significantly interfere with the color of Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments, and the degree of color change is significant with increasing concentration.

Countermeasures to Maintain Stability

During food processing and storage, a series of effective measures are necessary to maintain the stability of natural Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments.

Controlling processing and storage conditions is key. During processing, high temperatures and prolonged heating should be avoided as much as possible. Appropriate processing methods, such as low-temperature baking and freeze-drying, should be selected to minimize the damage to anthocyanins caused by temperature. During storage, products containing natural Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments should be stored in a dark, cool, and dry environment to avoid the effects of light and high temperatures on their stability. Dark packaging materials, such as brown glass bottles or black plastic bags, can be used to block light exposure. Storing the product in a low-temperature environment, such as the refrigerator, can also effectively extend its shelf life and maintain the stability of the pigment.

Adding protective agents is also an effective method. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, can be added. These can donate electrons and react with oxidants, thereby protecting anthocyanins from oxidation. Vitamin C has a strong reducing property and preferentially binds to oxidants, consuming them in the environment and creating a relatively stable environment for anthocyanins. Acidic substances, such as citric acid and tartaric acid, can also be added to adjust the pH of the solution to keep it within the acidic range, which promotes the stability of anthocyanins. Some Purple Sweet Potato Color beverages contain an appropriate amount of citric acid, which not only adjusts the taste but also enhances the stability of the Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins. Microencapsulation technology can also be used to encapsulate Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins, forming tiny capsules to reduce the impact of external environmental factors. These strategies can effectively improve the stability of natural Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments, enabling them to perform better in applications such as food and cosmetics.

Wide Applications of Natural Colors

The Colorful Magic of the Food Industry

In the food industry, natural Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments, like a magical “magician,” play a vital role. They imbue a variety of foods with vibrant colors while enhancing their flavor and quality.

In the beverage industry, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments are widely used in various fruit juices, teas, and functional beverages. Purple Sweet Potato Color juice beverages made from Purple Sweet Potato Color not only retain the rich nutrients found in Purple Sweet Potato Color, such as dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but also boast a vibrant purple color due to the purple potato pigment, creating a strong visual impact. While enjoying the delicious flavor, people feel as if they are transported to a purple fantasy world. In some mixed juice drinks, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments are combined with the colors of other fruits to create unique and alluring color combinations. For example, the combination of Purple Sweet Potato Color and mango creates a blend of purple and yellow, enriching the taste and enhancing the visual appeal, offering consumers a brand new drinking experience. Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment also proves useful in baked goods. Adding Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment to bread creates a unique purple hue, making it more appealing to consumers than regular bread. Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment also adds a subtle Purple Sweet Potato Color aroma, enriching the flavor. In cakes, whether chiffon cake, sponge cake, or mousse cake, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment can exert its unique coloring properties, enhancing the appearance of the cake. Some creative bakeries use Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment to create purple cake bases, pairing them with white cream and fresh fruit. The harmonious color combination and rich taste have become popular with consumers. In biscuits, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment can also make biscuits stand out, giving them a unique color and flavor, satisfying consumers’ demand for diverse foods.

The confectionery industry also relies on Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment for embellishment. Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment can be used in confectionery products such as hard candies, soft candies, and chewing gum, giving candies a vibrant purple hue and enhancing their appeal. For health-conscious consumers, candies containing natural Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment are more appealing because it is safer and healthier than synthetic pigments. Some children’s candies have also begun using Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment. Its vibrant color and natural properties satisfy children’s love of color while also providing parents with peace of mind.

Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment also plays a significant role in frozen beverages. In products like ice cream, popsicles, and popsicles, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment imparts a distinctive purple hue, bringing a touch of coolness and a dreamy feel to hot summer days. Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment can also be combined with other flavors to create a rich and diverse taste. For example, Purple Sweet Potato Color-flavored ice cream, which combines the sweetness of Purple Sweet Potato Color with the smoothness of ice cream, is a popular choice among consumers. Some high-end ice cream brands combine Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment with high-quality ingredients like cream and milk to create rich, high-quality Purple Sweet Potato Color ice cream, satisfying consumer demand for high-quality frozen drinks. With its unique color and natural, healthy properties, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment has brought a rich and diverse range of innovations to the food industry, satisfying consumers’ desire for food with a vibrant color, aroma, and flavor.

Unique Appeal in Other Sectors

In addition to its widespread application in the food industry, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment has also demonstrated its unique appeal in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. In the pharmaceutical industry, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment can be used as a natural colorant. Many medications require the addition of appropriate colorants to facilitate patient identification and administration. Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment, due to its natural and safe properties, is an ideal choice for pharmaceutical coloring. Some oral solutions, capsules, and tablets are added with Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment to alter the drug’s appearance. In some children’s medications, using Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment to color the medication purple not only increases its recognition but also makes it easier for children to accept and improve medication compliance. Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment also has medicinal value. Ingredients such as anthocyanins it contains have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. When combined with other ingredients in medications, they may play a supporting role in the treatment of diseases.

In the cosmetics industry, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment is also highly sought after. It can be added as a natural colorant to various cosmetics, such as lipstick, eye shadow, blush, and nail polish. Compared to traditional synthetic pigments, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment is safer and milder, less irritating to the skin, and more suitable for those with sensitive skin. Adding Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment to lipstick creates a natural purple hue, satisfying consumers’ desire for a variety of lip colors. Lipstick made with this natural pigment also moisturizes the lips, thanks to the nutrients in Purple Sweet Potato Color. In eyeshadow and blush, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment can create unique purple-themed looks, offering consumers a new makeup experience. Adding Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment to nail polish creates a captivating purple luster, enhancing nail beauty. Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment also has skin-care benefits due to its antioxidant and moisturizing properties, helping to maintain healthy skin. Due to its natural, safe, and versatile properties, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment plays an important role in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, injecting new vitality into these fields.

The Future of Purple Sweet Potato Color Natural Pigments

Looking ahead, Purple Sweet Potato Color natural pigments offer exciting prospects in many areas.

In terms of extraction technology innovation, with the continuous advancement of science and technology, more efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-cost extraction techniques will continue to emerge. Researchers may further optimize existing extraction methods and combine multiple techniques to create synergistic effects, thereby increasing the extraction rate and purity of Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins. Ultrasound-assisted extraction can be combined with enzymatic extraction, using ultrasound to partially disrupt the structure of Purple Sweet Potato Color cells, allowing enzymes to more easily access intracellular substances, thereby enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis and further increasing the release rate of anthocyanins. New extraction technologies may also be developed, such as improved supercritical fluid extraction techniques, which leverage the unique physical properties of supercritical fluids to achieve more precise and efficient extraction and reduce environmental impact.

Purple Sweet Potato Color natural pigments have broad potential for expansion in application areas. In the food industry, beyond existing applications, they may play a role in a wider range of new food products. In customized foods, Purple Sweet Potato Color natural pigments can be added to tailor them to consumers’ health needs and taste preferences, creating uniquely delicious and healthy products. As people’s awareness of intestinal health continues to grow, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments may be used in functional probiotic foods, not only adding color but also synergizing with probiotics to promote intestinal health. In the pharmaceutical field, beyond its use as a colorant, the medicinal value of Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments may be further explored and applied, leading to the development of more health supplements or medicines using Purple Sweet Potato Color anthocyanins as a primary ingredient to prevent and treat a wider range of diseases. In the cosmetics field, with the increasing demand for natural and safe cosmetics, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments will have more opportunities to be used in various high-end cosmetics, enabling the development of cosmetics with diverse benefits such as antioxidants, moisturizing, and whitening, satisfying consumers’ dual pursuit of beauty and health.

Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments will also usher in new opportunities in market development. As consumer health awareness continues to rise, demand for natural, safe, and healthy foods and consumer products continues to grow. As a natural pigment, Purple Sweet Potato Color pigments hold broad market prospects. More and more consumers are willing to pay higher prices for products containing natural pigments, which will drive the continued expansion of the Purple Sweet Potato Color pigment market. With the continuous improvement of Purple Sweet Potato Color cultivation technology and the expansion of cultivated areas, Purple Sweet Potato Color production will continue to increase, providing more raw materials for the production of Purple Sweet Potato Color natural pigments, reducing production costs and further enhancing their market competitiveness. Purple Sweet Potato Color natural pigments are expected to achieve greater breakthroughs and developments in various fields in the future, bringing more color and health to people’s lives.

Phycocyanin, a unique and captivating color in nature’s palette, stands out from algae like Spirulina and Arthrospira. Its deep, pure blue color makes it a leader among natural pigments. It not only adds vibrant color to our world but also possesses rich nutritional value and broad application potential.

Phycocyanin, a natural pigment extracted from algae such as cyanobacteria, red algae, and cryptophytes, appears as a deep blue powder. It is a protein-bound pigment and, therefore, exhibits properties similar to proteins, with an isoelectric point of 3.4. It is soluble in water but insoluble in alcohol and oil. It is relatively stable in weakly acidic and neutral environments (pH 4.5-8), but precipitates in highly acidic environments (pH 4.2) and discolors in the presence of strong bases. Its unique chemical structure makes it potentially applicable in a wide range of applications, including food, medicine, and cosmetics.

In nature, phycocyanin is primarily found in algae such as cyanobacteria, red algae, and cryptophytes. Phycocyanin plays a crucial role within the cells of these algae. As an accessory pigment in photosynthesis, it absorbs orange-yellow light and transfers that energy to chlorophyll, contributing to photosynthesis and playing an indispensable role in algal growth, development, and reproduction. For example, the abundant phycocyanin content in spirulina gives it its distinctive blue-green color. It is precisely because of this phycocyanin that spirulina is able to efficiently utilize light energy for photosynthesis and sustain its life.

Properties Revealed: Unique Properties Demonstrate Advantages

Physical Properties

Phycocyanin appears as a fine, uniform, deep blue powder. When dissolved in water, it forms a clear, vibrant blue solution. This shade of blue, reminiscent of the deep ocean and the clear sky, creates a sense of tranquility and profoundness. Its aqueous solution also exhibits a faint red fluorescence under certain wavelengths of light, adding a touch of mystery to the color. It has excellent solubility, readily soluble in water but insoluble in alcohol and oil. This property allows it to function effectively in aqueous systems, imparting a distinctive blue color to products such as foods and beverages.

Chemical Properties

From a chemical perspective, phycocyanin is composed of an apoprotein tightly bound to phycocyanin via a thioether bond. This unique structure endows it with numerous biological functions. In terms of stability, phycocyanin is relatively stable in weakly acidic and neutral environments (pH 4.5-8), maintaining its structural and functional integrity. However, in more acidic environments (pH 4.2), it precipitates. This is because the charge distribution of the protein changes under acidic conditions, leading to enhanced intermolecular interactions and aggregation and precipitation. Phycocyanin decolorizes when exposed to strong bases, which destroy the chromophores in its molecular structure, causing it to lose its original blue color. Phycocyanin also exhibits some instability under the influence of light and temperature. Prolonged exposure to light or high temperatures accelerates its degradation, causing its color to gradually fade and its biological activity to decrease.

Extraction Process: The Transformation from Algae to Essence

Traditional Extraction Methods

Traditional phycocyanin extraction methods, like a time-honored skill, have evolved and improved over the course of history, providing the foundation for obtaining this natural pigment.

Freeze-thaw cycles are a common traditional method. This method utilizes drastic temperature fluctuations to cause the water within algae cells to freeze and expand, disrupting the cell structure and releasing phycocyanin. In practice, algae samples containing phycocyanin are frozen to a low temperature, such as -20°C, and then thawed to room temperature repeatedly, typically three to five times. This method has the advantages of being relatively simple, requiring no specialized equipment, and being relatively cost-effective. However, its disadvantages are also significant: extraction efficiency is relatively low, the process is time-consuming, and the phycocyanin may be damaged to some extent during the freeze-thaw cycle, resulting in reduced biological activity.

Water extraction uses water as a solvent to dissolve phycocyanin from algae. The specific steps involve mixing the algae raw material with an appropriate amount of water, stirring or shaking at a certain temperature for a period of time to fully dissolve the phycocyanin in the water, and then separating the supernatant by centrifugation or filtration to obtain a crude extract containing phycocyanin. This method has the advantages of being safe, environmentally friendly, low-cost, and not introducing any other chemicals. However, it also has some disadvantages, such as long extraction time, relatively low extraction yield, and high impurities in the crude extract, requiring further purification.

The buffer method uses a specific buffer solution to extract phycocyanin. By adjusting the pH and ionic strength of the buffer, a suitable environment is created to promote the dissolution and release of phycocyanin. Commonly used buffers include phosphate buffer and Tris-HCl buffer. Compared with aqueous extraction, the buffer method can better maintain the stability of phycocyanin, improve extraction yield, and enhance purity. However, this method requires a certain amount of chemical reagents to prepare the buffer, which increases costs and the subsequent purification process is more complicated.

Modern Innovative Technologies

With the rapid advancement of science and technology, modern innovative technologies have brought new breakthroughs and revolutions to the extraction of phycocyanin, enabling us to obtain this precious natural pigment more efficiently and with higher quality.

Membrane separation technology, a separation method based on the principle of membrane selective permeability, plays an important role in the extraction of phycocyanin. Ultrafiltration membranes can separate phycocyanin from other impurities based on molecular size, retaining larger phycocyanin molecules while allowing smaller molecules and solvents to pass through. Nanofiltration membranes can further remove even smaller impurities and ions, thereby improving the purity of phycocyanin. The advantages of this technology include simple operation, low energy consumption, and no phase transition. It can be performed at room temperature, effectively avoiding the degradation of phycocyanin at high temperatures and maximizing its biological activity. Furthermore, membrane separation technology allows for continuous production, improving efficiency. However, membranes are expensive and prone to fouling during use, requiring regular cleaning and replacement, increasing production costs and maintenance complexity. Supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) utilizes the exceptional solubility of supercritical fluids under specific conditions to extract phycocyanin. Carbon dioxide is a commonly used supercritical fluid. In its supercritical state, SCFE combines the advantages of a gas’s low viscosity and high diffusivity with the high density and strong solubility of a liquid. When SCFE comes into contact with algae, it rapidly penetrates the cells, dissolving the phycocyanin. The phycocyanin is then separated from the supercritical fluid by adjusting the temperature and pressure. This technique offers advantages such as high extraction efficiency and speed, and can be performed at relatively low temperatures, minimizing oxidation and degradation of the phycocyanin. Furthermore, SCFE is non-toxic, odorless, non-flammable, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly. However, SCFE requires specialized equipment, high investment costs, demanding operating conditions, and a high level of technical expertise.

Application Areas: The Multifaceted Miraculous Protein

Food Industry

In the food industry, phycocyanin is like a magical wizard, bringing unique colors and rich nutrition to a wide range of foods. It is an ideal natural food coloring, its pure blue color adding a refreshing and unique visual appeal to foods. Whether in beverages, dairy products, candies, or baked goods, phycocyanin can perform its excellent coloring function, satisfying consumers’ pursuit of aesthetically pleasing food. For example, some high-end ice cream brands cleverly use phycocyanin to impart a dreamy blue color, making it stand out from the crowd and attracting the attention of many consumers. Adding phycocyanin to juice drinks not only imparts a unique blue color but also blends with the color of the juice itself, creating novel and attractive color combinations that stimulate consumer purchases.

Phycocyanin also has nutritional benefits. Rich in essential amino acids, it is a high-quality source of protein, providing a rich nutritional base. Phycocyanin is used as a key nutrient in functional foods, such as sports nutrition products and children’s nutritional supplements. In sports nutrition products, phycocyanin can help athletes replenish protein lost after exercise and promote muscle repair and growth. In children’s nutritional supplements, phycocyanin can provide essential nutritional support for children’s growth and development, contributing to their healthy development.

Healthcare

In the healthcare field, phycocyanin has demonstrated tremendous potential, attracting the attention of numerous researchers like a shining star. Research has shown that phycocyanin possesses a variety of pharmacological activities and offers numerous benefits to human health.

Antioxidant properties are one of phycocyanin’s key properties. During human metabolism, a large number of free radicals are produced. These free radicals attack cells, causing cell damage and aging, which in turn can lead to various chronic diseases. Phycocyanin acts as a guardian, efficiently scavenging free radicals such as superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals in the body, reducing the damage caused by oxidative stress to cells. It also regulates the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the body, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), further strengthening the body’s antioxidant defense system, thereby slowing the aging process and preventing the onset of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Phycocyanin’s anti-cancer effects have also attracted considerable attention. Numerous experiments have shown that it can inhibit the growth and spread of various cancer cells, including lung, liver, and colon cancer. Phycocyanin primarily exerts its anti-cancer effects through the following mechanisms: inhibiting DNA synthesis and cell division in cancer cells, arresting them in the G0/G1 phase and preventing further proliferation; activating apoptosis, prompting cancer cell self-destruction and reducing tumor size; inhibiting the expression of tumor angiogenesis factors, thereby cutting off the tumor’s nutrient supply and preventing it from thriving; and stimulating the immune system, increasing the activity of lymphocytes and macrophages, and enhancing the body’s ability to kill cancer cells.

Phycocyanin also has significant anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the body’s defensive response to external stimuli, but excessive inflammation can cause damage and trigger various inflammatory diseases. Phycocyanin, with its antioxidant and free radical scavenging abilities, can mitigate inflammation and protect tissues from damage. It also inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine, serotonin, and tumor necrosis factor, further reducing the severity of the inflammatory response and offering potential therapeutic benefits for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and enteritis.

Phycocyanin also demonstrates excellent liver protection. The liver, a crucial metabolic organ and detoxification site, is susceptible to damage from various factors. Through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, phycocyanin can protect the liver from damage induced by chemicals, alcohol, and other factors, reducing liver cell necrosis and apoptosis. It can also promote liver cell regeneration and repair, restoring normal liver function.

Cosmetics

In the cosmetics field, phycocyanin, due to its unique benefits, has become a favorite in numerous skincare and makeup products, providing comprehensive skin care. In skincare products, phycocyanin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal ingredient. It neutralizes free radicals and protects skin cells from oxidative damage, thereby slowing the aging process, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and maintaining skin’s firmness and elasticity. For skin damaged by UV rays, phycocyanin can reduce inflammation, alleviate symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain, and promote skin repair and regeneration. Phycocyanin also moisturizes and repairs the skin. Rich in polysaccharides and amino acids, it possesses high moisturizing properties, providing long-lasting hydration and keeping it hydrated and soft. It also promotes cell regeneration and repair, accelerating the healing of damaged skin and showing a certain healing effect on skin damage such as sunburn, wounds, and scars.

In cosmetics, phycocyanin is primarily used as a natural pigment, imparting its distinctive blue color. Compared to traditional synthetic pigments, phycocyanin is safer, more natural, and less irritating to the skin, meeting consumers’ demand for healthy and natural cosmetics. The use of phycocyanin in some blue eyeshadows and lipsticks not only creates a beautiful blue hue but also provides skin with nutrients and protection.

Scientific Research Uses

In the field of scientific research, phycocyanin is like a magic key, opening new doors to numerous research areas and becoming an indispensable aid for researchers. It possesses unique fluorescence properties: when excited by light of a specific wavelength, it emits a strong red fluorescence. This property makes it widely used as a fluorescent probe in biological and chemical research. In cell labeling and detection, phycocyanin can bind to specific antibodies or other molecules and then be used to label antigens or other biomolecules on the cell surface. By detecting its fluorescent signal, researchers can clearly observe the morphology, structure, and function of cells and understand their physiological and pathological processes. In protein structure and function research, phycocyanin can be used as a marker to study the interactions between proteins and other molecules, revealing the relationship between protein structure and function.

Compared to other fluorescent probes, phycocyanin offers many advantages. It is a naturally occurring fluorescent substance, widely available, relatively easy to extract and purify, and relatively low in cost. Phycocyanin’s fluorescence signal is strong and stable, maintaining its intensity for extended periods, providing a strong guarantee for the accuracy and reliability of experimental results. It is also low in toxicity to biological samples and does not significantly affect the normal function of cells or biomolecules, making experimental results more reliable and credible.

Market Insights: Current Status and Future Development Trends

Market Size and Growth

The phycocyanin market is booming globally. According to QYResearch, global natural phycocyanin market sales reached $335 million in 2024 and are projected to reach $517 million in 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2025 to 2031. Another report on phycocyanin E18 indicates that its market size was approximately $210 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $398 million in 2031, with a CAGR of 9.8% from 2025 to 2031. This growth is driven by strong consumer demand for healthy and natural products. As living standards improve, demands for the safety and naturalness of food, cosmetics, and other products are becoming increasingly stringent. As a natural pigment and functional ingredient, phycocyanin perfectly aligns with this consumer trend. In the food industry, more and more consumers are opting for foods that use natural pigments. Phycocyanin, due to its unique blue color and natural properties, is widely used in coloring beverages, dairy products, candy, and other foods, resulting in growing market demand.

Competitive Landscape

Currently, the global phycocyanin market is experiencing a diversified competitive landscape, with numerous companies demonstrating their expertise in this field. Japan’s DIC Corporation, leveraging its advanced technology and established market channels, holds a significant position in the phycocyanin market. India’s Parry Nutraceuticals also holds a significant market share, favoring some customers for its high cost-effectiveness. In China, Zhejiang Binmei Biotechnology Co., Ltd. has performed exceptionally well. As one of the earliest companies to enter the phycocyanin field, it not only broke the international monopoly on phycocyanin extraction technology but also participated in the formulation of the “National Food Safety Standard – Food Additives – Phycocyanin” and the “Technical Specifications for the Preparation of Spirulina Phycocyanin” group standards. Binmei Biotechnology’s innovative “low-temperature targeted cell wall disruption” technology, using water as the extraction medium, achieves precise cell wall disruption and efficient separation of phycocyanin, preserving its natural activity and nutritional value to the greatest extent possible. Xindaze Spirulina in Fuqing City is also a key player in the domestic phycocyanin market, boasting extensive experience in spirulina cultivation and phycocyanin extraction.

Future Trends

With the continued growth of health needs, phycocyanin’s application prospects in food, medicine, cosmetics, and other fields will expand. In the food sector, it will not only serve as a colorant but will also find increasing application in functional foods and special dietary foods due to its nutritional benefits. In the pharmaceutical field, with in-depth research on the pharmacological activities of phycocyanin, new phycocyanin-based drugs and health products are expected to emerge. Technological advances will also drive the development of the phycocyanin market. New extraction and purification technologies will continue to emerge, further improving the extraction efficiency and purity of phycocyanin and reducing production costs. Furthermore, through genetic engineering and other techniques, it is possible to cultivate algae varieties with higher phycocyanin content and better performance. As the market develops, the quality standards and regulatory system for phycocyanin will continue to improve, providing guarantees for the healthy development of the market.

The Infinite Possibilities of Phycocyanin

Phycocyanin, a gem of natural pigments, presents both challenges and opportunities in its extraction process with its unique physical and chemical properties. From traditional extraction methods to modern innovative technologies, each breakthrough brings us closer to the core of this blue essence. In its applications, phycocyanin has demonstrated extraordinary appeal, leaving a profound mark in diverse fields such as food, medicine, cosmetics, and scientific research, bringing numerous benefits to people’s lives.

Looking ahead, with the continuous advancement of science and technology and the growing demand for healthy and natural products, the phycocyanin market is poised for even greater growth. New extraction technologies will continue to emerge, further improving phycocyanin extraction efficiency and quality while reducing production costs. In terms of applications, phycocyanin will find applications and innovation in a wider range of fields, providing new ideas and approaches to solving various problems. We believe that in the near future, phycocyanin will play an even greater role in various fields, adding more color and health to human life.

As more and more people seek holistic alternatives to pharmaceutical treatments, one botanical remedy is gaining traction: hawthorn powder. This herbal supplement, derived from the dried berries, leaves, and sometimes flowers of the Crataegus plant, has been making waves in the natural medicine world.

But why is hawthorn powder so popular? What’s so appealing about it? Let’s explore the reasons behind its growing popularity.

What exactly is hawthorn powder?

Hawthorn powder is a fine, nutrient-rich powder made from the fruit of the hawthorn tree, a deciduous plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. Known by various names such as mountain red, red fruit, tangdi, and green pear, hawthorn is celebrated for its distinct sweet-and-sour flavor and versatile applications.

Hawthorn is primarily found in eastern Eurasia, especially in regions with mountainous terrain. It thrives at elevations between 100 and 1,500 meters, typically flourishing on slopes, in forests, or among shrublands.

This hardy plant is remarkably adaptable—able to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -36°C to 43°C, making it suitable for diverse climates.

Hawthorn trees are both sun-loving and shade-tolerant, requiring minimal soil conditions to grow. However, they perform best in deep, fertile, loose, and well-drained sandy loam with a slightly acidic pH.

Particularly in plains regions, hawthorn trees are known for their high yield and fruit quality, making them a valuable crop in agricultural and food industries.

Once the hawthorn fruits reach full ripeness, they are carefully processed through a series of steps: harvesting, cleaning, coring, chopping, concentrating, and drying. The final product is a fine powder, typically dark red to brownish-red, that retains the hawthorn’s signature sweet-tart flavor.

Hawthorn powder holds significant value as both a natural food ingredient and a functional supplement. Its flavor, color, and nutritional profile make it a popular additive in beverages, snacks, confections, and health products. Additionally, it plays a role in traditional herbal remedies, known for supporting digestion and cardiovascular health.

Exploring the production process

The process of making hawthorn powder is like a magical act, transforming ordinary hawthorns into a versatile powder.

Raw Material Selection: The Pursuit of Quality

Selecting raw materials is crucial for making hawthorn powder. Choose hawthorns that are mature, brightly colored, and free of pests, diseases, and damage. Ripe hawthorns have a balanced sweet-sour taste and are richer in nutrients.

A bright red hawthorn color generally indicates a higher concentration of nutrients, such as flavonoids and vitamins. When selecting hawthorns, pay attention to their size and shape. Try to choose hawthorns that are uniform in size and plump in shape. This ensures consistent product quality during subsequent processing.

Cleaning: Removing Dust, Returning to Its Original Nature

After selecting well-chosen hawthorns, the first step is to clean them. Cleaning removes dust, impurities, and residual pesticides from the surface. Soak the hawthorns in clean water for a while to fully absorb impurities, then rinse thoroughly with running water.

You can also add an appropriate amount of table salt or baking soda to the water to sterilize and disinfect the hawthorns, further ensuring their cleanliness. The soaking time is generally 15-30 minutes, though the specific time can be adjusted depending on the degree of contamination. When rinsing, gently rub the surface of the hawthorns to ensure every corner is thoroughly cleaned.

Pith Removal: Precise Removal to Preserve the Essence

Hawthorn pits not only affect the taste but also reduce the quality of hawthorn powder, making pit removal an essential step in hawthorn powder production.

Traditional pitting is done manually, using a knife or specialized pitting tool to carefully remove the core. While this method ensures the integrity of the hawthorn, it is less efficient and is suitable for small-scale production.

For large-scale production, machine pitting is often used. While machine pitting is highly efficient and can meet the needs of industrial production, a small amount of hawthorn pulp may be removed during the pitting process.

Drying: Locking in nutrients and concentrating flavor

Drying removes moisture from hawthorns, making them easier to store and process. Common drying methods include air drying, oven drying, and spray drying. Air drying is the most traditional method.

Pitted hawthorns are sliced thinly and evenly spread in a well-ventilated, sunny area, allowing sunlight and wind to slowly remove moisture from the fruit. This method takes a long time to dry, typically several days, but it maximizes the preservation of the hawthorn’s natural flavor and nutrients.

Drying involves drying hawthorns at a specific temperature using equipment such as ovens and dryers. The drying temperature is generally controlled between 50 and 80°C.

Excessively high temperatures can lead to the loss of nutrients, while low temperatures can result in excessively long drying times. During the drying process, the hawthorn slices should be frequently turned to ensure even heating.

Spray drying involves spraying hawthorn pulp into a drying tower through a spray device, where it comes into contact with hot air and is instantly dried into a powder.

This method dries quickly and efficiently, resulting in fine hawthorn powder with good solubility. However, the equipment investment is substantial, leading to higher production costs.

Grinding: Fine Powder, Unleashing Its Charm

After drying, hawthorn berries need to be ground to create a fine powder. This can be done with a household blender, grinder, or industrial crusher. Place the dried hawthorn berries in the grinding machine and select the appropriate grinding time and speed based on the machine’s power and performance.

Generally speaking, the longer the grinding time, the finer the hawthorn powder. The grinding process may generate some heat. To prevent the hawthorn powder from deteriorating due to heat, reduce the grinding speed or grind it in multiple steps.

The ground hawthorn powder should be sieved to remove larger particles, ensuring a finer and more uniform powder.​

Health benefits of hawthorn powder

Hawthorn powder isn’t just known for its unique sweet-tart flavor—it’s also gaining recognition for its impressive health benefits, making it a valuable addition to the wellness world.

A Natural Digestive Aid

Rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, carotene, and organic acids, hawthorn powder helps stimulate digestive enzymes and supports the breakdown of fats and proteins. After heavy or greasy meals, a warm hawthorn drink can help ease bloating, indigestion, and stomach discomfort, making it a trusted go-to for digestive support.

Supports Healthy Cholesterol and Lipid Levels

Hawthorn powder helps regulate lipid metabolism by:

• Inhibiting cholesterol synthesis
• Raising “good” HDL cholesterol
• Lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol

Regular use has been shown to reduce triglycerides and total cholesterol, making it a natural ally in preventing cardiovascular conditions like atherosclerosis.

Promotes Healthy Blood Pressure

Thanks to its flavonoids and triterpenoids, hawthorn powder supports blood vessel dilation, improves coronary circulation, and helps relax vascular muscles. While not a replacement for medication, it may assist in stabilizing mild hypertension when used alongside medical guidance.

A Natural Antioxidant Boost

Packed with antioxidants like flavonoids and vitamin C, hawthorn powder helps fight free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that contributes to aging and chronic disease. Regular intake may support skin elasticity, immune function, and overall vitality.

Hawthorn powder is a powerful, natural supplement that promotes digestive comfort, heart health, blood pressure balance, and anti-aging benefits. Always consult a healthcare professional before adding it to your routine, especially if you are managing medical conditions.

How to consume hawthorn powder?​

Hawthorn powder can be consumed in a variety of ways, whether consumed directly or incorporated into various dishes or beverages, each one offers a unique flavor experience.

Drinking directly: The authentic sweet and sour experience

The simplest way to enjoy hawthorn powder is to consume it directly. Scoop a small spoonful of hawthorn powder into your mouth and savor it carefully. The rich, pure sweet and sour hawthorn flavor instantly blooms on your tongue. This way of enjoying it is like savoring a fresh hawthorn, maximizing the unique flavor of hawthorn powder. However, due to its strong flavor, hawthorn powder may feel a bit sour when consumed directly. To soften the taste, add a suitable amount of honey or sugar to your taste.

Drinking water: A convenient health drink

Drinking hawthorn powder in water is a convenient and healthy way to enjoy it. Take 5-10 grams of hawthorn powder, about 1-2 teaspoons, and place it in a cup. Stir the hawthorn powder with a small amount of hot water to dissolve it thoroughly.

Then add an appropriate amount of warm or cold water and adjust to a comfortable temperature before drinking. Soaking the hawthorn powder in water not only preserves the hawthorn’s nutrients but also enhances its sweet and sour flavor.

If the taste is too bland, you can add other ingredients, such as dried tangerine peel, to enhance digestion. Adding goji berries can neutralize the acidity and provide additional nourishment. In summer, adding mint leaves to the mixture and sipping it chilled is a perfect way to cool down.

Cooking Additions: The Finishing Touch

Hawthorn powder also makes a great addition to cooking, adding a unique flavor to a variety of dishes. Adding an appropriate amount of hawthorn powder to cakes, biscuits, bread, and other pastries can enhance the unique sweet and sour taste of hawthorn and enrich the flavor.

For example, a hawthorn-flavoured cake, with its soft texture infused with the sweet and sour flavor of hawthorn powder, offers a unique sweet but not greasy flavor. Hawthorn powder can also be added to soups and porridges, such as pork ribs or beef stew, to remove the fishy smell and greasiness while making the meat more tender.

Cooking hawthorn powder with rice and adding an appropriate amount of rock sugar creates a sweet and sour porridge that helps promote digestion and improves appetite.

Precautions for use​

While enjoying the delicious and healthy benefits of hawthorn powder, we also need to understand some key points when selecting and consuming it to make it truly useful for our lives.

Tips for Selecting High-Quality Hawthorn Powder

High-quality hawthorn powder should be a uniform, deep red or brownish-red color, bright in color, and free of visible impurities or lumps. A close sniff reveals a rich, pure hawthorn aroma, free of any unpleasant or pungent odors.

When purchasing hawthorn powder, it’s also important to check the manufacturer, production date, and expiration date. Choosing products from reputable manufacturers with a recent production date provides greater assurance of quality.

Contraindications

While hawthorn powder is a healthy food for most people, some individuals require caution. Those with excessive stomach acid should avoid consuming excessive amounts of hawthorn powder.

Hawthorn powder is inherently acidic, and consuming it can further stimulate stomach acid secretion, exacerbating symptoms of excessive stomach acid and leading to stomach discomfort, acid reflux, and heartburn.

Pregnant women should also avoid consuming hawthorn powder. Hawthorn powder, which has blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing properties, may stimulate uterine contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage.

Breastfeeding women should also be aware that excessive consumption of hawthorn powder may cause milk regurgitation, leading to decreased milk production and affecting infant feeding.

If you are taking certain medications, consult a doctor or pharmacist before consuming hawthorn powder, as its ingredients may interact with medications and affect their effectiveness.

Market Price Revealed​

The market price of hawthorn powder varies depending on a variety of factors, from origin to quality, processing techniques, and sales channels.

The price of hawthorn powder varies significantly across regions. In major hawthorn-producing areas, hawthorn powder is relatively affordable due to the easy availability of raw materials and low transportation costs.

Generally speaking, average-quality hawthorn powder costs around 8-15 yuan per kilogram. In some areas outside of hawthorn production, the price can rise, potentially reaching 15-25 yuan per kilogram, due to the increased transportation and intermediate links involved.

Quality is a key factor in determining hawthorn powder’s price. High-quality hawthorn powder, made from premium hawthorns and meticulously processed to create a fine, uniform powder with a vibrant color and rich aroma, naturally commands a higher price.

On the other hand, standard-quality hawthorn powder, with its simpler raw material selection and processing techniques, is relatively affordable. Some hawthorn powder marketed as a feed additive can cost as little as 1.8-2.6 yuan per yuan kilogram.

The complexity of the processing technology also affects the price. Hawthorn powder produced using traditional natural drying and hand-grinding techniques, while yielding a lower yield, retains the hawthorn’s original flavor and nutrients to the greatest extent possible, resulting in a higher price.

Sales channels also influence price. On e-commerce platforms, hawthorn powder is relatively affordable due to the elimination of intermediaries, and some merchants offer promotions to further reduce prices.

In brick-and-mortar supermarkets and specialty stores, hawthorn powder is slightly more expensive than on e-commerce platforms due to higher operating costs. In some high-end shopping malls or health product stores, hawthorn powder, which is branded and positioned as a premium product, commands an even higher price.

Conclusion

Hawthorn powder, a gift from nature, exudes a unique charm in the worlds of food and wellness with its unique production process, rich nutritional profile, diverse consumption methods, and remarkable health benefits.

Not only can it be a delicious addition to our daily diet, adding a unique sweet and sour flavor to any dish, it also plays a vital role in health and wellness, promoting digestion, lowering blood lipids and blood pressure, and providing antioxidant benefits, comprehensively safeguarding our health.

If you haven’t tried hawthorn powder yet, why not embark on a hawthorn powder health journey in this vibrant season?

Whether you wake up early with a cup of warm hawthorn powder-infused water to awaken your slumbering stomach, enjoy a hawthorn powder-infused pastry to replenish your energy during a busy afternoon, or enjoy a bowl of hawthorn powder-based porridge after dinner to aid digestion, you can experience the unique charm of hawthorn powder.

After experiencing it, I believe you will be impressed by its delicious and healthy properties and make it a vital health partner in your life.

In our daily lives, our food is filled with vibrant colors. Red strawberries, yellow lemons, green cucumbers… these natural hues add a vibrant touch to our dining table.

However, one color is relatively rare in food: blue. Gardenia blue, a natural pigment that imparts a blue hue to food, is like a mysterious blue spirit, quietly weaving through our lives yet often overlooked.

Perhaps the dreamy blue hue of a blueberry-flavoured drink is the work of gardenia blue, or perhaps the delightful blue cake itself is quietly adding to its beauty.

Across the dazzling array of food shelves, from colorful candies to exquisite baked goods, from refreshing beverages to enticing jams, gardenia blue may be lurking among them, its unique blue hue creating a distinctive look that captivates our attention. Today, let’s uncover the secrets of gardenia blue.

The Birth Code of Gardenia Blue​

Gardenia Blue is the product of a delicate fusion of nature’s generosity and modern craftsmanship. It begins with the fruit of the gardenia plant, Gardenia jasminoides, a member of the Rubiaceae family. These small, delicate fruits, when ripe, display a vibrant orange-yellow hue, resembling plump lanterns hanging from branches.

To create Gardenia Blue, the fruit is first extracted with water or ethanol, a gentle ritual that allows the fruit’s active ingredients to slowly dissolve into the solvent. This crucial step determines the purity and quality of the resulting pigment.

After extraction, β-glucosidase is added for enzymatic hydrolysis. This enzyme, like a skilled craftsman, precisely decomposes and transforms the extract.

Following enzymatic hydrolysis, edible amino acids are added for chemical reactions. Different amino acids, like different pigments, interact with the previous products to impart Gardenia Blue’s unique blue color.

After this complex and delicate series of operations, impurities are removed through a refining process to further enhance Gardenia Blue’s purity and stability. Throughout the entire production process, temperature, time, and the ratio of various raw materials must be strictly controlled at every step.

Even the slightest difference can lead to differences in the final product’s color, stability, and other aspects. It is this extreme pursuit of craftsmanship that has enabled Gardenia Blue, a natural pigment, to play a vital role in food, cosmetics, and other fields.

Unique Nature and Charm​

Gardenia Blue typically appears as a deep blue or blue powder. Upon closer inspection, its fine texture and near-odorlessness create a sense of pristine purity. When it meets water, it dissolves like a nimble dancer, rapidly dispersing. It is readily soluble in water, hydrous ethanol, and hydrous propylene glycol, resulting in a solution with a vibrant, pure blue color, creating a unique visual appeal.

Gardenia Blue exhibits excellent stability in varying pH environments. Its color barely changes noticeably within a pH range of 2.5 to 8. Whether in acidic juice beverages or near-neutral dairy products, it maintains its blue color, consistently imparting a unique hue to foods. This characteristic makes it highly suitable for a variety of food processing applications, without the risk of color degradation due to pH fluctuations.

Gardenia Blue’s stability to light, heat, and metals is also a key feature. Its blue color remains relatively stable under normal lighting conditions. However, compared to some other highly stable pigments, its light resistance is slightly less robust. Prolonged exposure to strong light may cause slight fading.

Gardenia Blue exhibits excellent heat resistance. Even after certain heat treatments, such as the high-temperature baking process used in baked goods, it can withstand 60 minutes at 120°C without fading, ensuring consistent color throughout the entire process.

Gardenia Blue’s stability is largely unaffected by common metal ions such as Ca₂⁺, Mg₂⁺, and Al₃⁺. However, in acidic environments, its color darkens when exposed to Fe⁺ and Sn⁺. This requires careful control of the effects of metal ions when using Gardenia Blue, taking into account the specific production environment and raw material composition.

A Shining Presence in Multiple Fields

Gardenia blue, with its unique properties, has found widespread application in numerous fields, demonstrating its extraordinary value.

In the food additive sector, gardenia blue is a magical colorist. It is widely used to color a wide range of foods, adding a unique blue hue.

In candy making, it can transform otherwise monotonous candies into a dreamy blue hue. In the beverage industry, from refreshing juice drinks to vibrant carbonated beverages, gardenia blue shines brightly, imparting a deep and captivating blue hue. In dairy products like yogurt and cheese, the addition of gardenia blue can create a unique visual selling point, making them stand out from the crowd.

In baked goods, from sweet cakes to crispy cookies, gardenia blue can add a unique appearance. For example, by adding gardenia blue to cake frosting, you can create blue flowers or patterns, making the cake even more exquisite and enticing.

It can also be used to color jams, pickled vegetables, fillings for grain products, fruit and vegetable juices and beverages, solid beverages, protein drinks, mixed alcoholic beverages, and puffed foods, adding color to a wide variety of foods.

However, gardenia blue is rarely used alone, but rather in combination with other pigments. As one of the three primary colors, it is often blended with natural yellow pigments (such as gardenia yellow and safflower yellow) to produce green pigments of varying intensities. Compared to natural chlorophyll, green pigments blended with gardenia blue offer controllable hues and better acid resistance, making them suitable for use in acidic foods.

Furthermore, it can be blended with various natural red pigments to produce varying shades of purple, greatly enriching the color palette of foods. The recommended usage of gardenia blue in juice (flavored) beverages, pastry decorations, and mixed alcoholic beverages is 0.12g/kg; for candies and jams, the recommended usage is 0.3g/kg. The specific dosage should be determined based on the food type and desired color effect, strictly adhering to relevant regulations and standards.

Gardenia blue also has unique applications in the industrial sector. It can be used as a dye and pigment. In textile dyeing, it imparts a distinctive blue hue to natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and silk, satisfying consumer demand for richly colored textiles and adding a unique style and character to textiles.

As a paint pigment, gardenia blue can be used to formulate coatings with a specific blue hue for architectural decoration and handicraft painting, adding a unique artistic touch to these structures or artworks.

In the plastics industry, it can be used as a colorant to impart a blue hue to plastic products, enhancing their aesthetics and adding value. For example, some blue plastic toys and stationery may be tinted with gardenia blue.

In the rubber industry, gardenia blue can be used to color rubber products, improving their appearance and making their color more unique. For example, rubber soles and seals, for example, add gardenia blue to rubber products, making them both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

In the cosmetics industry, gardenia blue can be used as a blue pigment in cosmetics such as eye shadow and nail polish, adding a blue hue to products, satisfying consumers’ diverse color needs and enriching the color palette of beauty products.

In the chemical industry, although its application is relatively less widespread, it can also be used in certain chemical products that require blue or other colors. For example, it can be used as a colorant in the production of specialized chemical reagents and laboratory supplies. The specific usage and dosage vary depending on the product characteristics and production requirements.

A Blue Vision for the Future

With the continuous advancement of technology, the production process of gardenia blue is expected to be further optimized. On the one hand, genetic engineering may enable the cultivation of superior varieties of gardenia, increasing the content of active ingredients in the fruit, thereby increasing gardenia blue production and reducing production costs.

On the other hand, new, more efficient and environmentally friendly extraction and refining technologies may emerge, reducing resource waste and environmental pollution during the production process, making gardenia blue production more sustainable and green.

In the food industry, with the growing demand for personalized and customized foods, gardenia blue will play a greater role in the development of specialty and high-end foods.

In functional foods, gardenia blue may be combined with other functional ingredients to develop products that combine specific health benefits with an attractive blue appearance, such as antioxidant beverages enriched with gardenia blue or blue nutritional tablets that promote sleep.

In the pharmaceutical field, the current applications of gardenia blue in this area are relatively limited, but there is broad room for future exploration. Researchers may discover additional biological activities of gardenia blue, allowing it to be used not only as a colorant in pharmaceutical formulations but also to exert certain therapeutic or adjuvant therapeutic effects.

In the cosmetics field, as consumers’ demand for natural and safe cosmetics continues to grow, the advantages of gardenia blue as a natural pigment will become increasingly prominent. In the future, more natural beauty products containing gardenia blue may appear, meeting consumers’ dual needs for beauty and health.

Gardenia blue may also play a role in the development of new cosmetic formulations. For example, when microencapsulation technology and nanotechnology are applied to cosmetics, gardenia blue can serve as a carrier for active ingredients or a functional additive, enhancing the performance and effectiveness of cosmetics.

Furthermore, gardenia blue may also make a breakthrough in emerging fields such as environmental protection and materials science. In the environmental field, gardenia blue may be used for environmental monitoring. By leveraging its unique response to certain substances, new sensors capable of detecting environmental pollutants could be developed.

In the field of materials science, researchers may combine gardenia blue with new materials to develop smart materials with unique optical and electrical properties, injecting new vitality into the development of related fields. It is foreseeable that in the future, Gardenia Blue will bloom with its unique blue light in more fields, bringing more surprises and changes to our lives.

Butterfly Pea Flower Powder is a vibrant blue-purple powder carefully crafted from butterfly pea blossoms through a meticulous process that includes washing, drying, and fine grinding. Each stage is precisely controlled to preserve the natural colour, aroma, and quality of the final product.

Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, this enchanting powder captures the essence of the butterfly pea flower. Its striking hue and subtle floral flavor make it a natural choice for elevating food, beverages, and even beauty formulations. A true gift from nature, it brings a touch of magic and mystery to every creation—inviting exploration, creativity, and wellness in every use.

The Unique Charm of Butterfly Pea Pollen

Natural Color Master

Butterfly pea pollen is a magical natural color master, mainly due to its rich anthocyanin, a powerful water-soluble natural pigment belonging to the flavonoids, whose basic structure is a 2-phenylbenzopyran cation.

Butterfly pea anthocyanin is mainly composed of cyanidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside, and has a typical 2-phenylchromone structure mother nucleus of flavonoids.

In different pH environments, butterfly pea pollen will show amazing color changes, just like a fickle artist. When in an acidic environment, it will show a charming purple; in an alkaline environment, it will tend to be green. This wonderful colour-changing property makes it the best choice for natural dyes. ​

In the field of food and beverages, butterfly pea pollen has shown its prowess, adding a dreamy color to various delicacies. In Southeast Asia, people often see some blue snacks, and the unique color of these snacks comes from butterfly pea pollen. It is also widely used in making blue jelly, cakes, ice cream and other foods, giving these delicacies a mysterious and attractive coat.

In the beverage industry, butterfly pea pollen has set off a color revolution. It can instantly transform the originally bland drinks into “dream starry sky drinks” with explosive appearance. Cups of blue, purple or blue-purple butterfly pea flower drinks seem to condense the mystery and vastness of the starry sky, allowing consumers to enjoy a visual feast while tasting delicious food.

A Treasure Trove of Nutrients​

Butterfly pea pollen is not only a leader in the field of color, but also a rich treasure trove of nutrition. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which play a vital role in human health.

Vitamin A helps protect the retina and maintain good visual function. For people who use electronic devices for a long time, moderate intake of butterfly pea pollen can help relieve eye fatigue and prevent eye diseases.

Vitamin C has a strong antioxidant effect, which can remove free radicals in the body, enhance immunity, and prevent diseases such as colds. At the same time, it can also promote the synthesis of collagen, making the skin tighter and more elastic.

Vitamin E is also an effective antioxidant, which can delay cell aging, protect cells from free radical damage, and has a positive effect on skin health and beauty. ​

In addition to vitamins, butterfly pea pollen is also rich in antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and flavonoids. Anthocyanins have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, can reduce enzyme activity, and have health functions such as anti-mutation. It can also dilate blood vessels, promote blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Flavone compounds help regulate the physiological functions of the human body and have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects. Butterfly pea pollen also contains some minerals and dietary fiber that are beneficial to the human body. These nutrients work together to provide a full range of nutritional support for the human body.

Wide Range of Uses​

New Favorites in Food Creation

Butterfly pea pollen is a shining star in the food industry, bringing endless creative inspiration to many food lovers.

In the field of baking, it can turn ordinary bread into amazing starry sky bread. Just add an appropriate amount of butterfly pea pollen to the dough for making bread. After baking, the bread will show a charming blue color. Add some colorful sugar beads or other decorations, as if integrating the mystery and vastness of the starry sky into it.

There is also the colorful spiral pastry. When making it, the blue dough with butterfly pea pollen added is intertwined with the original dough. After baking in the oven, the spiral blue pattern is looming in the golden pastry. Not only is it crispy, but the appearance is also eye-catching. ​

In terms of beverage making, butterfly pea pollen also performs well. Add butterfly pea pollen to the special milk tea, and the milk tea instantly turns into a dreamy blue. Then, add sweet pearls, coconut fruit and other small ingredients, and the taste is rich and layered.

Bartenders also favor butterfly pea pollen. The cocktails made with it are colorful, such as Blue Hawaii, which emit charming brilliance under the light.

Butterfly pea pollen can also be made into various special drinks, such as butterfly pea flower latte, butterfly pea flower sparkling water, etc., to meet the taste needs of different consumers.

In dessert making, butterfly pea pollen is an indispensable raw material. The jelly made with it is crystal clear and emits a faint blue light, like a blue gem. Add butterfly pea pollen to ice powder, and then add fruits, nuts, syrup, etc., and a bowl of colorful and smooth butterfly pea flower ice powder will appear in front of you.

Butterfly pea pollen can also be used to make cakes, puddings, ice cream and other desserts, adding unique flavors and charming colors to these desserts. For example, to make butterfly pea flower crepe cake, add butterfly pea flower pollen to the crust and cream, and then pair it with fresh fruit. When you take a bite, the delicate taste and rich layers blend in your mouth, leaving you with an endless aftertaste.

Health and Wellness Assistant​

Butterfly pea pollen not only plays an important role in food creation, but also has certain health and wellness effects. Eating butterfly pea pollen in moderation can help supplement the nutrients needed by the human body and enhance immunity.

It contains antioxidants such as anthocyanins and flavonoids, which can remove free radicals in the body, delay aging, and prevent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases.

Butterfly pea pollen also has certain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, which has a positive impact on maintaining human health. ​

Butterfly pea pollen is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women should be cautious when eating butterfly pea pollen, because some of its ingredients may have potential effects on the fetus. It is also not suitable for women during menstruation to avoid affecting the menstrual cycle and menstrual volume. People with gastrointestinal dysfunction and spleen and stomach deficiency may experience gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea after eating butterfly pea pollen.

People who are allergic to butterfly pea pollen will have allergic reactions after eating, and symptoms such as rash, itching, and difficulty breathing will occur. The digestive system of infants and young children is not fully developed yet, so it is not suitable for them to eat butterfly pea pollen. Before eating butterfly pea pollen, it is best to consult a doctor or professional to ensure your health and safety. ​

Market Prospects of Butterfly Ppea Pollen​

As people’s health awareness continues to improve, the demand for natural and healthy products is growing. As a natural colorant and nutritional supplement, butterfly pea pollen has a broad market prospect. In the food and beverage industry, butterfly pea pollen is increasingly widely used. Many food and beverage companies have launched products using butterfly pea pollen as raw materials to meet consumers’ needs for health and beauty. In the cosmetics industry, butterfly pea pollen has also been favored by many brands for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

The butterfly pea pollen market also faces some challenges. At present, the production scale of butterfly pea pollen is relatively small, and the supply of raw materials is unstable, which to a certain extent limits the further expansion of its market. The price of butterfly pea pollen is relatively high, which also makes some consumers stay away.

There are still some counterfeit and shoddy butterfly pea pollen products on the market, which not only damages the interests of consumers, but also affects the reputation of the entire industry. In order to meet these challenges, companies need to increase R&D investment, improve the production efficiency and quality of butterfly pea pollen, and reduce production costs. It is also imperative to strengthen market supervision, crack down on counterfeit and shoddy products, and maintain market order.​

In the future, with the continuous advancement of science and technology and people’s increasing attention to health, butterfly pea pollen is expected to be used in more fields. In the field of medicine, the active ingredients in butterfly pea pollen may be further developed and utilized to treat some diseases. In the textile and printing and dyeing industries, butterfly pea pollen, as a natural dye, also has great development potential.

Exploring Butterfly Pea Pollen​

Butterfly pea pollen, a gift from nature, has a unique charm in various fields with its natural dreamy colors, rich nutrients and diverse uses.

If you haven’t tried butterfly pea pollen yet, you might as well take action and use it to make a delicacy, or make a cup of butterfly pea flower drink to experience the unique experience it brings.​

In the world of natural pigments, carrot red stands out for its unique charm and rich value. It not only gives products bright colors, but also contains many potential benefits, and has gradually become a “hot commodity” in the fields of food, cosmetics, and medicine.

Understanding Carrot Red

Carrot red is a fat-soluble pigment derived from natural carrots, belonging to the carotenoid family. Its primary components, including β-carotene and α-carotene, possess a unique molecular structure that not only imparts a vibrant orange-red to dark red color but also provides strong antioxidant properties.

Commonly found in orange-red fruits and vegetables like carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes, carrot red plays a key role in giving these foods their bright, appealing colors.

Unique Physical and Chemical Properties

Carrot red typically appears in powder or oil form, exhibiting vibrant colors. It is highly soluble in organic solvents such as oil, ether, and chloroform, but insoluble in water. This solubility determines its application in various products.

In terms of stability, carrot red is sensitive to light and heat. Prolonged exposure to light or high temperatures can alter its structure, causing the color to fade or lighten. Additionally, acidic environments can compromise its stability, reducing its effectiveness.

Extraction Process Analysis

Traditional solvent extraction

The traditional solvent extraction method uses the characteristic that carrot red is easily soluble in organic solvents. The dried and crushed raw materials are mixed with organic solvents such as n-hexane and petroleum ether, and the pigment is dissolved in the solvent by stirring and shaking.

The solvent is then removed by filtering and distillation to obtain a crude carrot red product. This method is simple to operate, but has disadvantages such as residual organic solvents and low extraction efficiency.

Emerging extraction technologies​

Supercritical fluid extraction technology is the leader among emerging methods. Carbon dioxide is used as a supercritical fluid, which has the dual properties of liquid and gas. It can quickly penetrate into the raw materials and efficiently extract carrot red without organic solvent residues.

The product purity is high. In addition, technologies such as microwave-assisted extraction and ultrasonic-assisted extraction are also constantly developing. These technologies can shorten the extraction time and improve the extraction efficiency, providing a new direction for the large-scale production of carrot red.

Wide Application in Many Fields

Natural colorants for the food industry

In the food industry, carrot red is an ideal natural colorant. In beverage production, it can give juice, tea drinks, etc. an attractive orange-red color.

When making candies, adding carrot red can make the candies colorful and attract consumers’ attention. In baked goods, whether it is bread, cakes or biscuits, carrot red can improve the appearance of the product, and because of its antioxidant properties, it can also extend the shelf life of food. ​

Natural source of color for the cosmetics industry​

In the cosmetics industry, carrot red is highly favored due to its natural and safe properties. In cosmetics such as lipstick, eye shadow, and blush, it can provide natural and soft colors.

In skin care products, its antioxidant effect can help resist skin aging and protect the skin from free radical damage. It is added to products such as creams and lotions to improve the functionality and safety of cosmetics.

A treasure trove of nutrition in the medical field​

In the field of medicine and health care, carrot red plays an important role. It can be converted into vitamin A in the human body, which is of great significance in maintaining normal visual function, promoting the growth and differentiation of epithelial tissues, and enhancing immunity.

Therefore, it is often made into health products, such as capsules and tablets, to prevent vitamin A deficiency and meet the nutritional needs of the human body.

Future Development Prospects

With the growing demand for natural and healthy products, the market prospects of carrot red are very broad. However, its development is also facing challenges, such as further optimizing the extraction process to reduce costs and improving stability to adapt to more application scenarios.

In the future, with the innovation and breakthrough of technology, carrot red is expected to play a greater role in more fields and add more color and health to people’s lives. ​

The above is a comprehensive introduction to the relevant knowledge of carrot red. If you want to know more about the in-depth application of carrot red in a specific field, or the comparison with other pigments, please feel free to tell me.

Phycocyanin is a dark blue powder extracted from algae such as Spirulina, Sphingophyte, and Synechocystis. It is mainly found in cyanobacteria, red algae, and cryptophytes. Its function is to absorb light (orange-yellow) energy and transmit light energy. It is an important photosynthetic auxiliary pigment. ​

Phycocyanin can usually be divided into C-phycocyanin and R-phycocyanin. The former is mainly found in cyanobacteria, while the latter is mainly found in red algae. Cryptophytes have both. It is a protein with a complete amino acid composition and a high content of essential amino acids.

It is a nutritious protein in itself, an excellent natural food pigment, and a good health food. It occupies an important position in the fields of life sciences and industry, and is vividly praised by food experts as a “food diamond”.

Basic Knowledge of Phycocyanin

What is phycocyanin?

Phycocyanin is a pigment protein complex belonging to the phycobiliprotein family. It is composed of apoprotein and an open-chain pyrrole-structured chromophore covalently cross-linked by thioether bonds. Its molecular structure is relatively complex and usually consists of multiple subunits, each of which contains different polypeptide chains.

These subunits are combined in a specific way to form a phycocyanin molecule with a specific spatial structure. Among them, the chromophore part is the key to the blue color of phycocyanin. It can absorb light of a specific wavelength, thus giving phycocyanin a unique color. ​

Different types of phycocyanin, such as C-phycocyanin and R-phycocyanin, have certain differences in chemical structure. C-phycocyanin is mainly found in cyanobacteria, and its subunit composition and amino acid sequence have characteristics unique to cyanobacteria.

R-phycocyanin is mainly found in red algae, and its structure is different from C-phycocyanin in some aspects. These differences lead to their respective characteristics in terms of spectral characteristics and stability.

Phycocyanin existence and distribution

Phycocyanin mainly exists in algae cells such as cyanobacteria, red algae and cryptophytes. It exists in a specific form in these algae, usually combined with other photosynthetic pigments and proteins to form phycobilisomes, attached to the thylakoid membrane, and participate in the photosynthesis process.

The content of phycocyanin varies greatly in different algae. Generally speaking, the content of phycocyanin in cyanobacteria is relatively high. In some cyanobacterial species, phycocyanin can account for 10% – 20% of the cell dry weight, which makes cyanobacteria appear obvious blue-green.

The content of phycocyanin in red algae varies from species to species. Some red algae have low phycocyanin content, but some red algae also contain considerable amounts of phycocyanin.

Cryptophytes contain both C-phycocyanin and R-phycocyanin, and their content distribution also varies depending on the type of cryptophytes and the growth environment.

In addition, the distribution of phycocyanin is also affected by environmental factors, such as light, temperature, and nutritional conditions. Under suitable environmental conditions, the synthesis and accumulation of phycocyanin in algae cells will increase. Under adverse conditions, the content of phycocyanin may decrease to adapt to environmental changes. ​

Unique physical and chemical properties​

From the perspective of physical properties, phycocyanin usually appears as a dark blue powder or granules. It has good water solubility and can be evenly dispersed in water to form a blue solution. This property gives it great advantages as a colorant in the fields of food and beverages.

However, phycocyanin has poor stability to light, heat and acid. Under light conditions, especially strong light irradiation, the structure of phycocyanin will gradually be destroyed, causing the color to fade. Rising temperature will also accelerate its degradation process.

Generally, at higher temperatures, the stability of phycocyanin decreases significantly. In an acidic environment, when the pH value is lower than 4.5, phycocyanin is prone to precipitation and the color will change, which limits its application in some acidic foods. ​

In terms of chemical properties, phycocyanin, as a protein, has the general chemical properties of proteins. It can react with some chemical reagents, such as binding to certain metal ions, which may affect its structure and function.

In addition, the chemical structure and properties of phycocyanin will also change under different pH conditions. Under weak alkaline conditions, phycocyanin is relatively stable and can maintain its original structure and function. However, under strong alkaline conditions, it may cause changes in its molecular structure or even denaturation, thus losing its original physiological activity and color characteristics. ​

Extraction and Preparation of Phycocyanin​

Analysis of traditional extraction methods

There are many traditional methods for extracting phycocyanin, each with its own characteristics. The repeated freeze-thaw method uses a low-temperature freezing environment to freeze the spirulina suspension, thaws it at room temperature, and repeats several times to achieve the effect of breaking cells, so that the cells are broken and phycocyanin is dissolved.

This method is relatively easy to operate and does not require complex equipment. It is more commonly used in small-scale extraction in the laboratory. However, its disadvantages are also obvious.

It takes a long time for large-scale production, which is difficult to meet the needs of large-scale industrial production, and multiple freeze-thaw processes may cause a certain degree of damage to the structure and activity of phycocyanin. ​

The ultrasonic crushing method mainly uses the shear force and shock wave generated by the cavitation effect during ultrasonic transmission to fully break the cell wall and release intracellular proteins.

This method has a short experimental cycle, can achieve cell crushing in a short time, and has a high cell crushing rate. However, in factory production, its energy consumption is high, and the heat generated by the ultrasonic wall breaking process will cause the material temperature to rise, and phycocyanin has poor thermal stability, which can easily cause protein denaturation and affect the quality and activity of phycocyanin.

Enzymatic hydrolysis is to use biological enzymes to treat cell walls and promote the dissolution of intracellular substances. Enzymes are highly specific and can act on cell walls more gently, causing relatively little damage to phycocyanin, which is beneficial to maintaining the activity of phycocyanin.

However, the cost of enzymes is usually high, which increases the cost of extraction, and the enzymatic hydrolysis process requires strict control of conditions such as temperature, pH value and enzyme dosage, which is more complicated to operate and limits its large-scale application.

Exploration of new extraction technologies

With the continuous advancement of science and technology, new extraction technologies have brought new ideas and methods for the preparation of phycocyanin.

Two-phase aqueous extraction is a technology that uses the difference in the distribution coefficient of substances in a mutually immiscible two-phase aqueous system to achieve separation. This method has the advantages of high extraction efficiency, simple operation, and mild conditions.

It can effectively avoid the denaturation of phycocyanin, and can process a large number of samples in a short time, which is suitable for large-scale production. At the same time, the two-phase aqueous system is environmentally friendly, reduces the use of organic solvents, and reduces environmental pollution.

It has broad application prospects in the industrial production of phycocyanin and is expected to become one of the important technologies for phycocyanin extraction in the future. ​

Supercritical fluid extraction is to use the supercritical fluid (such as carbon dioxide, CO₂) to extract the target substance under specific conditions. Supercritical fluid has the fluidity and diffusivity of gas and the solubility of liquid, and can quickly penetrate into the algae cells and dissolve phycocyanin.

During the extraction process, it is usually carried out at a lower temperature and pressure, which can effectively protect phycocyanin from thermal damage and oxidation, thereby obtaining highly active and high-purity phycocyanin. In addition, supercritical fluid extraction also has the advantages of fast extraction speed, good selectivity, and no solvent residue, which is in line with the development concept of modern green chemistry.

However, this technology requires special equipment, high investment costs, and strict requirements on operating conditions. At present, there are still certain limitations in large-scale application, but with the continuous development of technology and the reduction of costs, its application prospects are very broad. ​

Critical control points during extraction

During the extraction of phycocyanin, there are several key factors that need to be strictly controlled to ensure that high-activity and high-purity phycocyanin is obtained. Temperature is an important control point. Phycocyanin has poor thermal stability and is prone to denaturation at high temperatures, losing its original structure and function.

During the extraction process, the low temperature environment should be maintained as much as possible to avoid damage to phycocyanin caused by excessive temperature.

The pH value also has a significant effect on the stability and extraction effect of phycocyanin. The structure and properties of phycocyanin will change under different pH conditions. In an acidic environment, phycocyanin is prone to precipitation and the color will also change, resulting in a decrease in its activity. Under alkaline conditions, excessive alkalinity may also destroy the structure of phycocyanin.

Generally speaking, phycocyanin is relatively stable under weak alkaline conditions. Therefore, during the extraction process, the pH value needs to be controlled within a suitable range, usually between 7 and 9, and a stable pH value can be maintained by adding a buffer solution. ​

The extraction time should not be ignored either. If the extraction time is too short, phycocyanin may not be fully released from the cells, resulting in a low extraction rate. If the extraction time is too long, it will not only increase the production cost, but also may cause phycocyanin to be affected by more external factors, such as long-term exposure to light, oxygen and other environments, resulting in a decrease in its activity.

Therefore, it is necessary to determine the optimal extraction time through experimental optimization to ensure a high extraction rate while maintaining the activity and purity of phycocyanin. ​

Multiple Applications of Phycocyanin​

Application in the food industry​

In the food industry, phycocyanin, as a natural food coloring, is gradually emerging and is favored by more and more food manufacturers and consumers. Its bright color can give food a unique blue or blue-green hue, adding visual appeal to food and satisfying consumers’ pursuit of novel and unique food appearance.

From soft candy, ice cream to beverages, the application of phycocyanin makes these foods present fresh and unique colors, attracting the attention of many consumers. At the same time, phycocyanin itself is a high-quality protein containing a variety of essential amino acids for the human body. It can not only color food, but also provide certain nutrients for the human body, which is unmatched by artificial synthetic pigments. ​

However, the application of phycocyanin in food processing also faces some challenges. It is sensitive to light, heat and pH value, and has poor stability during processing and storage.

Under high temperature environment, phycocyanin is prone to denaturation, resulting in color fading. Light will also accelerate its degradation process. In acidic foods, phycocyanin may precipitate, affecting the color and quality of food.

Therefore, when using phycocyanin, some measures need to be taken to improve its stability. In addition, phycocyanin can be used in combination with other natural pigments or stabilizers to improve its stability and application effect in food. ​

Potential in the healthcare sector​

Phycocyanin has shown great potential in the field of medicine and health care, and its rich pharmacological activity has brought new hope to human health. A large number of studies have shown that phycocyanin has significant anti-cancer activity, can inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, and induce apoptosis of cancer cells.

Its anti-cancer mechanism mainly includes regulating the cell cycle, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, and enhancing the body’s immunity. Although phycocyanin is still in the research stage as an anti-cancer drug, it has shown promising prospects and is expected to become a new choice for anti-cancer treatment in the future. ​

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are also important characteristics of phycocyanin. It can remove free radicals in the body and reduce the damage of oxidative stress to cells, thereby delaying ageing, preventing the occurrence of various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases.

At the same time, phycocyanin can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors, regulate the function of the immune system, and reduce inflammatory reactions. It has potential therapeutic effects on inflammatory-related diseases such as arthritis and enteritis.

In terms of liver protection, phycocyanin also plays a positive role. It can reduce the damage to the liver caused by chemicals, alcohol, etc., promote the repair and regeneration of liver cells, and protect the normal function of the liver.

Studies have found that phycocyanin can regulate the liver’s antioxidant enzyme system, enhance the liver’s antioxidant capacity, reduce lipid peroxidation, and thus reduce liver oxidative damage. ​

Based on these pharmacological activities, phycocyanin has a broad application prospect in medicine and health products. At present, some health products with phycocyanin as the main ingredient are sold on the market, claiming to have the effects of enhancing immunity, anti-oxidation, and anti-fatigue, which have attracted the attention of consumers.

In the future, with the continuous deepening of research and the advancement of technology, phycocyanin is expected to be developed into more types of drugs and functional foods, making greater contributions to human health. ​

Applications in the cosmetics industry

In the cosmetics industry, phycocyanin has brought new ideas and directions to product innovation with its unique efficacy. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal ingredient in skin care products.

In terms of antioxidants, phycocyanin can effectively remove free radicals, protect skin cells from oxidative damage, reduce the appearance of aging phenomena such as wrinkles and sagging, and help the skin maintain elasticity and luster.

The anti-inflammatory effect enables phycocyanin to soothe sensitive skin and reduce skin inflammatory reactions such as redness, swelling, and itching. For people who are prone to allergies or suffer from inflammatory skin diseases, skin care products containing phycocyanin can have a good soothing and repairing effect.

In addition, phycocyanin also has a certain moisturizing effect. It can absorb and lock in moisture, provide long-lasting moisturizing effects for the skin, and keep the skin hydrated and smooth. In some moisturizing masks and essences, the application of phycocyanin can enhance the moisturizing performance of the product and meet consumers’ demand for skin hydration. ​

The unique role of biotechnology

In the field of biotechnology, phycocyanin plays a unique and important role as a fluorescent marker. It has good fluorescence properties, can absorb light of specific wavelengths, and emit strong fluorescence signals, which makes it widely used in fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and other technologies. ​

In fluorescence microscopy, phycocyanin can bind to specific biomolecules, such as antibodies, nucleic acids, etc., and then observe its distribution and location in cells or tissues through a fluorescence microscope. In this way, researchers can clearly understand the activities and interactions of biomolecules in cells, providing an important tool for research in fields such as cell biology and immunology.

Flow cytometry uses the fluorescence signal of phycocyanin to quickly and accurately analyze and sort cells. By placing phycocyanin-labelled cells into a flow cytometer, the instrument can classify and count cells according to the fluorescence intensity and other parameters emitted by the cells, thereby realizing the analysis and research of cell populations.

This technology has important applications in fields such as immunology and oncology, and can help researchers quickly understand the characteristics and functions of cells and screen out specific cell subpopulations.​

In addition, phycocyanin can also be used to construct biosensors for detecting biological molecules, environmental pollutants and other substances. By combining phycocyanin with specific recognition elements, when the target substance is present, it will cause a change in the phycocyanin fluorescence signal, thereby achieving the detection and analysis of the target substance.

The application of phycocyanin in the field of biotechnology has provided strong support for life science research and biotechnology development, and promoted the rapid development of related fields. ​

The Current Status and Future of Phycocyanin

Global market size and growth trends​

In recent years, the global phycocyanin market has shown a booming trend. As consumers pay more and more attention to healthy and natural products, phycocyanin, as a natural pigment and a component with multiple biological activities, is increasingly widely used in food, medicine, cosmetics and other fields, driving the continuous expansion of the market size.

The improvement of health awareness has led to a significant increase in consumer demand for natural, functional foods and health products. More and more consumers are willing to pay higher prices for products rich in phycocyanin, which provides a strong consumer driving force for the growth of the phycocyanin market.

In the health care product market, antioxidant capsules and immune enhancers with phycocyanin as the main ingredient are emerging in an endless stream and are enthusiastically sought after by consumers. ​

In the food and beverage industry, consumers’ preference for natural pigments is becoming increasingly obvious. As a natural blue pigment, phycocyanin can give food and beverages a unique color and meet consumers’ diverse needs for product appearance.

With the continuous advancement of biotechnology, the extraction and production technology of phycocyanin is also constantly improving.

The application of new extraction technologies, such as aqueous two-phase extraction and supercritical fluid extraction, not only improves the extraction efficiency and purity of phycocyanin, but also reduces production costs, making phycocyanin more competitive in the market.

At the same time, the development of microalgae cultivation technology also provides a guarantee for the large-scale production of phycocyanin, further promoting the growth of the market. ​

Main production companies

At present, there are many active manufacturers in the global phycocyanin market, some of which occupy an important position in the market.

As a world-renowned company, DIC Corporation has advanced technology and rich production experience in the field of phycocyanin. Its product quality is stable and its market share is high. Its products are widely used in many fields such as food, cosmetics and medicine.

Parry Nutraceuticals is also an important player in the industry. The company focuses on the production and research and development of phycocyanin. By continuously optimizing the production process and product quality, it has won a good reputation in the market and its products are sold well in domestic and foreign markets. ​

Nan Pao International Biotech has a certain influence in the Chinese phycocyanin market. The company has its own microalgae breeding base and advanced extraction production line, which can ensure the stable supply of raw materials and the quality of products.

Zhejiang Binmei Biotechnology has also made remarkable achievements in the research and development and production of phycocyanin. Through continuous technological innovation and market expansion, it has gradually emerged in the market, and its products have a certain sales share in the domestic and international markets.

The competitive landscape of the global phycocyanin market presents a diversified feature. Large enterprises dominate the market with their technology, capital and brand advantages. Their products are mainly aimed at the high-end market, focusing on product quality and R&D innovation.

Some small and medium-sized enterprises focus on specific market segments through differentiated competition, seeking development space in the market with price advantages or special products. The intensification of market competition has prompted enterprises to continuously increase R&D investment, improve product quality, and reduce production costs to enhance their competitiveness.

Market expansion prospects​

In the future, phycocyanin has broad prospects in terms of technological innovation and market expansion. In terms of technological innovation, further optimization of extraction and production technology remains the key.

It is also crucial to develop new phycocyanin stabilization technologies to solve the problem of poor stability of phycocyanin under light, heat, acid and other conditions, and expand its application range in different fields.

Using genetic engineering technology to transform algae and improve the synthesis efficiency and content of phycocyanin is also an important research direction in the future.

In terms of market expansion, phycocyanin is expected to achieve breakthroughs in more fields. In the field of medicine, with the in-depth study of the pharmacological activity of phycocyanin, its application in anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant aspects will be further expanded, and more drugs and health products are expected to be developed.

In the field of cosmetics, the antioxidant and moisturizing effects of phycocyanin will make it more widely used in skin care products. At the same time, it may also be expanded to areas such as makeup, bringing new development opportunities to the cosmetics industry.

In the field of food, in addition to existing applications, phycocyanin is expected to be used in more categories such as baked goods and dairy products to meet consumers’ demand for healthy and delicious food. ​

The phycocyanin market also faces some challenges. Intensified market competition may lead to fierce price competition, affecting the profit margins of enterprises. The production of phycocyanin is limited by algae cultivation conditions, and how to ensure a stable supply of raw materials is also a problem that enterprises need to solve.

Consumers’ awareness of phycocyanin needs to be further improved. Strengthening market promotion and publicity to improve consumers’ understanding and recognition of phycocyanin will help further expand the market.

The Infinite Possibilities of Phycocyanin​

Phycocyanin, a magical substance from the algae world, is gradually becoming the focus of many industries with its unique chemical structure, excellent biological activity and wide application fields.

As the global market demand for healthy and natural products continues to rise, the phycocyanin market is booming, with a growing scale and strong growth momentum.

However, we should also be aware that the research and development of phycocyanin still faces many challenges. Looking to the future, phycocyanin is expected to achieve breakthroughs and innovations in more fields.

Phycocyanin is a bioactive substance with great potential, and its application prospects in many fields are broad. We need to strengthen the research and development of phycocyanin, constantly overcome technical difficulties, expand application fields, fully tap its value, and make greater contributions to the improvement of human health and quality of life.

02-04 July.2025
COEX, Hall C
Seoul
Stand L39

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NMN, the full name of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide), is a naturally occurring bioactive nucleotide that belongs to the category of vitamin B derivatives.

NMN plays a pivotal role in cellular energy generation and is an important support for cells to maintain vitality.

In the human body, NMN is the most direct precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). NAD+, also known as coenzyme I, exists in every cell and participates in thousands of reactions.

It plays an irreplaceable role in cellular metabolic reactions. It not only participates in cellular respiration, promotes the oxidation of glucose, fat, amino acids and other substances, and provides energy for cells efficiently, but also acts as a substrate to regulate cell survival, apoptosis, DNA repair, immune response, circadian rhythm and other physiological functions.

With age, the level of NAD+ in the human body will gradually decrease, which is considered to be one of the key factors leading to ageing-related diseases and physical decline.

NMN can supplement this important coenzyme for the body by converting it into NAD+, thereby exerting a variety of potential health benefits.

The Magical Effects of NMN

Delaying aging

As we age, our body’s NAD+ levels gradually decrease, which is considered one of the key factors leading to aging. Supplementing with NMN can increase NAD+ levels in the body, thereby activating the Sirtuins family of longevity proteins.

Boost energy

NAD+ plays an integral role in key aspects of cellular energy metabolism. It participates in multiple steps of cellular respiration, helping to convert nutrients into ATP, a form of energy that cells can directly use.

When NAD+ levels are sufficient, cellular energy metabolism is more efficient. Supplementing with NMN can increase the amount of NAD+ in the body, thereby improving the energy production capacity of cells.

Improve metabolism

NMN has a positive regulatory effect on both sugar metabolism and lipid metabolism. In terms of sugar metabolism, it can improve insulin sensitivity, allowing cells to better absorb and utilize glucose, thereby helping to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

In terms of lipid metabolism, NMN can promote the decomposition and metabolism of fat and reduce the accumulation of fat in the body.

Enhanced cognition

The brain is an organ with extremely high energy metabolism requirements, and a decrease in NAD+ levels is closely related to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline.

Supplementing NMN can improve the energy metabolism of neurons and enhance the function and activity of neurons by increasing the level of NAD+ in the brain.

In addition, NMN may also protect nerve cells from oxidative stress and inflammatory damage, reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, and have potential preventive and ameliorative effects on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, etc.

Although NMN has shown encouraging research results in the above aspects, it should be noted that most of the research is still in the stage of animal experiments and early human clinical trials, and its long-term effects and safety still need more large-scale, long-term human studies to further verify.

NMN Has Broad Application Prospects

Healthcare industry

Disease treatment and prevention: In animal model studies of various diseases, NMN has shown therapeutic potential.

For example, it can play a certain preventive and therapeutic role in cardiovascular disease by improving mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting inflammatory responses; in diabetes treatment studies, NMN can improve insulin sensitivity and increase fat oxidation, which helps slow the progression of diabetes; for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, NMN can reduce neuronal damage and apoptosis by increasing NAD + levels and reducing oxidative stress.

Although some clinical trials are currently evaluating the efficacy and safety of NMN in these diseases, more large-scale, long-term human studies are needed for further verification.

Health supplements: As a nutritional supplement, NMN has the effects of delaying aging, increasing energy, and enhancing immunity. It can help middle-aged and elderly people maintain their physical functions and improve their quality of life.

It may also have a certain health care effect on people who are under high pressure and high load for a long time, helping them relieve fatigue and improve their energy.

Food and beverage industry

On January 17, 2025, the National Health Commission published the latest food additive acceptance announcement on its government service platform, and NMN was listed. Once approved, NMN will be widely used in various foods and health products as a food additive.

Cosmetics industry

From the cosmetic raw materials of NMN that have been filed and publicized, the main purpose of using the raw materials is skin protectant, moisturizer, antioxidant, and anti-wrinkle agent.

NMN can improve the level of NAD + in the body, improve cell energy metabolism, and enhance cell vitality, thereby playing the role of moisturizing, anti-oxidation, and anti-wrinkle in cosmetics, helping to delay skin aging and improve skin conditions.

With the continuous deepening of scientific research and the continuous advancement of technology, the application prospects of NMN will be broader. However, before its widespread application, some problems need to be solved, such as further clarifying its safety for long-term use, improving bioavailability, and optimizing production processes to reduce costs.

Things to Note When Using

Target Group

Generally speaking, middle-aged and elderly people may experience various ageing-related symptoms as their NAD+ levels decrease with age. Supplementing NMN can help increase NAD+ levels and improve physical functions to a certain extent.

In addition, people who are under high pressure and high load work for a long time, resulting in physical fatigue and lack of energy, as well as those who are at risk of some chronic diseases and hope to regulate their body metabolism by supplementing NMN, can also consider using it under the guidance of a doctor.

Not suitable for people

Pregnant and lactating women are in a special physiological state, and the effects of NMN on the fetus or infant are still unclear. To avoid potential risks, it should be prohibited to use.

Minors are still in the growth and development stage, and their own metabolic system is relatively vigorous. Generally, they do not need additional NMN supplements.

Using it may interfere with their normal physiological metabolic process, and it is not recommended. In addition, people with serious diseases, such as liver and kidney dysfunction, malignant tumors, etc., may increase the burden on the body or cause other adverse reactions when using NMN, and they need to use it with caution under the strict evaluation and guidance of a doctor.

Dosage and timing

At present, the optimal dosage of NMN has not been fully determined. Generally speaking, it is recommended to start with a low dose, such as 50-100 mg per day, to observe the body’s reaction.

If the body adapts well, the dose can be gradually increased under the guidance of a doctor according to personal circumstances, but it is usually not advisable to exceed 500 mg per day.

NMN products of different brands and dosage forms may have different contents and methods of use. Be sure to take them according to the product instructions or the doctor’s advice.

Time of use

The absorption and metabolism of NMN may be affected by diet. It is generally recommended to take it on an empty stomach or 1-2 hours after a meal to improve its bioavailability.

At the same time, in order to maintain the stability of NAD + levels in the body, it is best to take it at a fixed time every day. For example, you can choose to take it in the morning or at noon, and avoid taking it before going to bed at night to avoid affecting sleep quality.

Interactions with drugs

NMN may interact with certain drugs, affecting the efficacy of the drugs or increasing the risk of adverse reactions. In addition, NMN may also interact with some immunosuppressants, antibiotics and other drugs.

Therefore, before using NMN, be sure to inform your doctor of all the drugs you are taking so that the doctor can evaluate and guide you.

Quality and origin

The NMN market is currently in a state of chaos, with varying product quality. When choosing NMN products, you should purchase them through formal channels, select qualified manufacturers and well-known brands, and ensure the quality and safety of the products.

You can check whether the product has relevant quality inspection reports and certifications, such as GMP certification.

At the same time, pay attention to the product’s ingredient list and instructions to avoid purchasing products containing harmful impurities or false advertising.

You need to be cautious when using NMN. On the basis of fully understanding the relevant precautions, follow the doctor’s advice and use it reasonably to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Scientific View and Rational Choice

When it comes to NMN, an emerging health supplement, it is important to approach it with a scientific mindset. While acknowledging its promising potential in the health field, we must also be mindful of its risks and uncertainties.

Before using NMN, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional, particularly for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, individuals with underlying conditions, or those taking other medications. Avoid using NMN without proper medical guidance.

When selecting an NMN product, carefully review key details such as ingredients, purity, production processes, and quality certifications. Opt for brands and products that have undergone third-party testing, have a strong reputation, and are widely recognised for their credibility.

It is also important to remember that NMN is a dietary supplement and should not replace a healthy lifestyle. Regardless of the potential benefits of NMN, it should not serve as an excuse to neglect daily health practices. A balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a positive mindset are essential for maintaining good health. Only by combining the thoughtful use of NMN with healthy lifestyle habits can we truly enhance our well-being and delay the aging process.

While NMN remains the subject of some debate and uncertainty, it has undeniably opened up new avenues for understanding health and aging. With ongoing scientific research and technological advancements, our knowledge of NMN will continue to grow, enabling us to use it more effectively for the benefit of human health in the future.