The two most commercially exploited genera (Table 10.4) are the cyanobacte­rium Arthrospira sp. (Spirulina sp.) and the rhodophyte Porphyridium sp., which are responsible for the production of phycocyanin and phycoerythrin, respectively (Spolaore et al., 2006; Sekar and Chandramohan, 2008). Other commercially pro­duced genera include Rhodella sp. and Spirulina fusiformis.

Powerful spectral properties make them suitable for use as highly sensitive fluorescent reagents in clinical or research immunology laboratories (Pulz and Gross, 2004; Spoalore et al., 2006; Sekar and Chandramohan, 2008; U. S. DOE, 2010; and Milledge, 2011). They also function as labels for antibodies and recep­tors among other biological molecules in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter and are used in immunolabeling experiments and fluorescence microscopy and diagnostics (Spoalore et al., 2006; Sekar and Chandramohan, 2008). A number of multinational companies (Table 10.5) have been contributing to the algal phycobiliprotein market, which is targeted at the medical and biotechnology research industry (Eriksen, 2008; Sekar and Chandramohan, 2008).

A Japan-based company, Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, is responsible for devel­oping a product coined “Lina Blue,” which is used extensively in the food indus­try (in chewing gum, ice slush, popsicles, candies, soft drinks, dairy products, and wasabi). A derivative of this pigment is also sold as a colorant for cosmetics such as

TABLE 10.5

Phycobiliprotein Products in the Commercial Sector and Medical and Biotechnology Research

Source: Adapted from Sekar and Chandramohan (2008).

eyeliner and lipstick (Spoalore et al., 2006; Milledge, 2011). Although not produced commercially, the red alga Porphyridium aerugineum was used to produce a blue color that is added to Pepsi® and Bacardi Breezer® (Dufosse et al., 2005). It is no surprise that the global market for phycobiliprotein colorants alone was estimated at US$50 million by 2010 (Del Campo et al., 2007), with prices varying from US$3 to US$25 mg-1 (Spolaore et al., 2006; Milledge, 2011).