Phycobiliproteins from cyanobacteria: Chemistry and biotechnological applications

Phycobiliproteins are a group of water soluble proteins with an associated chromophore, responsible for the light-harvesting in cyanobacteria. They are divided in four main types: phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, phycoerythrocyanin and allophycocyanin, and they are characterized according to their structure and light quality absorption. Phycobiliproteins from cyanobacteria have been described as potential bioactive compounds, and recognized as high-valued natural products for biotechnological applications. Moreover, phycobiliproteins have been associated to antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory capacities among others. Thus, in order to produce phycobiliproteins from cyanobacteria for industrial application, it is necessary to optimize the whole bioprocess, including the processing parameters (such as light, nitrogen and carbon source, pH, temperature and salinity) that affects the growth and phycobiliprotein accumulation, as well as the optimization of phycobiliproteins extraction and purification. The aim of this review is to give an overview of phycobiliproteins not only in terms of their chemistry, but also in terms of their biotechnological applicability and the advances and challenges in the production of such compounds.