Spirulysat®, bioactive phycocyanins extracted with cold water

Extracting phycocyanin, the powerful antioxidant bioactive molecule in spirulina, is a major challenge for those wishing to market it as a dietary supplement. Among the various extraction methods for this valuable pigment, water and cold extraction techniques stand out as the highest quality. These methods preserve the purity, biochemical integrity, and potency of phycocyanin's beneficial properties, making them preferred options for high-end applications.

Due to these properties, the demand for phycocyanin-based products continues to grow. However, not all phycocyanins are created equal; not all extracts are identical in terms of molecular composition, and therefore, not all are equally effective. The extraction method used plays a central role in the quality of the final product.

In this article, we will explore the different phycocyanin extraction techniques, the key criteria for ensuring quality, and the challenges producers face. We will see why extraction is a crucial factor for phycocyanin bioactivity and how it can influence consumer health benefits. We will explore why cold-water extraction techniques for phycocyanin outperform other methods in terms of quality.

One of the main reasons why cold water extraction is considered superior is the preservation of extract purity. Unlike some techniques that use chemical solvents or heat treatments, these methods utilize only water, thus ensuring a final product free of contaminants. Cold extraction helps preserve the biochemical properties and structure of phycocyanin, which is sensitive to heat. Using high temperatures risks degrading the protein and its properties.

Water is an excellent solvent for phycocyanin because this pigment is water-soluble. Using pure water allows for extraction without introducing chemicals that could degrade the final product or necessitate additional purification steps. The purity of the phycocyanin-standardized extract is essential for sensitive applications such as dietary supplements, where chemical solvent residues can be problematic.

Using cold temperatures prevents the denaturation of phycocyanin. This molecule is heat-sensitive and can easily lose its bioactive properties under the influence of heat. By maintaining the extraction at a low temperature (generally between 0 and 4°C), the risk of degradation is minimized, thus ensuring a superior quality product with stable and active phycocyanin.

Phycocyanin is not only a photosensitive blue pigment, but, combined with other molecules present in the extract, such as polysaccharides, it exhibits potent antioxidant activity. The SPIROX study on the Spirulysat® extract, conducted by AlgoSource, is the only extract standardized for phycocyanin and polysaccharides to date that has demonstrated an antioxidant effect in humans. To maximize the benefits of this compound, it is crucial that extraction techniques preserve its bioactive properties. Cold water extraction helps maintain the biological qualities of phycocyanin-standardized extracts, which can be altered by more aggressive methods such as freeze-drying.

Hot extraction methods, such as the use of heated organic solvents or intense heat treatments, can alter the chemical structure of phycocyanin. Excessive heat causes denaturation of the extracts, significantly reducing the pigment's biological activity. This directly impacts the quality of the final product, particularly in fields where the biological effects of phycocyanin are desired, such as nutraceuticals or health nutrition.

Cold extraction techniques, on the other hand, preserve the molecular integrity of phycocyanin. However, not all techniques are created equal, particularly those involving a drying or freeze-drying step. Phycocyanin is a hydrophilic molecule; therefore, water extractions are protective of the extract's bioactivity. Water acts as a medium, allowing for extraction through "mechanical" processes that do not alter the molecular structure of the extract standardized for phycocyanin. This is the gentlest method for obtaining a pure and preserved extract.

Water extraction enhances the solubility of phycocyanin in water, which is essential for certain applications, particularly in liquid formulations or dietary supplements. Water extraction is naturally free of chemical solvents, ensuring a safer and healthier product. This allows the extracted phycocyanin to meet the strictest quality standards, including those for organic certifications or products intended for human consumption.

Phycocyanin is a relatively unstable molecule, susceptible to degradation by light, oxygen, or heat. Polysaccharides, by forming a protective matrix around phycocyanin, help preserve it from external aggressors, thus increasing its shelf life and effectiveness in nutraceutical formulations. Thanks to this protection, the biological properties of phycocyanin are better preserved when combined with polysaccharides.

Combining phycocyanin with polysaccharides (derived from spirulina) increases its water solubility, thus promoting better absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Improved solubility leads to greater bioavailability, resulting in more pronounced effects.

Another major advantage of cold water extraction lies in its reduced environmental impact. Unlike methods that require chemical solvents or energy-intensive processes, these techniques are considered environmentally friendly and sustainable. In contrast to freeze-drying, which demands significant energy consumption for the freezing and sublimation process, cold extraction requires only a low temperature, making it more cost-effective and environmentally sound.

By avoiding the use of chemicals, we minimize not only the risk of product contamination but also potentially toxic releases into the environment. Furthermore, the water used can often be recycled or treated more easily than organic solvents, making the overall process more environmentally friendly.

The cold water extraction and sterilization technique for phycocyanin-standardized extracts clearly distinguishes itself from other methods by its ability to preserve the purity, bioactive properties, and stability of the pigment. By avoiding the use of chemical solvents, high temperatures, and drying steps, the cold water extraction method guarantees a superior final product that meets the requirements of the nutraceutical and nutricosmetic industries.

They also represent an environmentally friendly solution with a low ecological impact, making them preferred techniques for companies seeking to combine performance, safety, and sustainability. Cold water extraction is a gentler method that better preserves the properties of phycocyanin, maximizing its effectiveness while minimizing the risk of degradation.

A high-quality phycocyanin standardized extract is characterized by a high concentration of bioactive molecules, also characterized by the presence of polysaccharides in the extract, optimal purity of molecular structure and long-lasting stability, essential criteria for maximizing the health benefits of this extraordinary pigment.

Ultimately, successful phycocyanin extraction relies on a balance between yield, quality and preservation of bioactive properties, making this step a key area for innovation in nutraceuticals.

Thus, if the objective is to obtain high-quality phycocyanin standardized extracts with intact properties and high purity, cold water extraction, without a drying step, proves to be the best option available on the market.

Combining phycocyanin with polysaccharides is more effective in nutraceuticals for several reasons related to the synergy between these two types of biomolecules. This combination improves the bioavailability, stability, and efficacy of the naturally bioactive extract.

Spirulysat® is a unique nutraceutical extract, combining polysaccharides and phycocyanins from spirulina, using a patented cold-water extraction process that preserves the extract's functional efficacy. Spirulysat® is a sterilized, cold-packed extract in drinkable ampoules, in its original aqueous form, to provide the body with all its antioxidant properties.

For 30 years, Algosource has been producing, processing, and packaging its natural, liquid food supplements. All stages of manufacturing take place at its facilities in Loire-Atlantique. Specializing in water extraction techniques and cold sterilization of bioactive molecules, it is a leading French player in the nutraceutical and health applications of its microalgae extracts.