Phycocyanin and phycoerythrin: Strategies to improve production yield and chemical stability

Abstract Phycocyanin and phycoerythrin are photosynthetic pigments extracted from microalgae with great biotechnological potential due to their intense colors, fluorescent properties and potential health benefits. Their principal applications are as nutritional supplements, natural colorants in foods and cosmetics, and as a reagent for immunological assays. However, the main challenges for their commercialization and implementation in food and cosmetic applications are their low yield during production and limited chemical instability. This review compares the use of different methods to increase biomass and pigment production yield, including the mechanisms associated with the microorganisms adaptative response to different light wavelengths. It also explores different methods reported to improve phycocyanin and phycoerythrin chemical stability and commercially available products.