Authors : Gavipriyaa Punitha Saravanan; Maheswari Arumugam; Aswitha Vijayasekar; Dr. Saraswathy Nachimuthu

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 10 - October

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3rzkb2rb

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25oct1524

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Abstract : Phycocyanin, a pigment–protein complex obtained from Spirulina platensis, is well recognized for its remarkable antioxidant and anticancer potential. Despite these promising properties, its limited structural stability restricts its practical use in pharmaceutical and food formulations. In this work, the biological activity and stability of phycocyanin were investigated through a combination of spectroscopic characterization, antioxidant evaluation, encapsulation trials, and molecular docking studies. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy was employed to assess pigment purity, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy verified the presence of characteristic chromophore peaks around 1019 cm−1, confirming structural integrity. The total antioxidant capacity assay revealed a strong radical scavenging ability, and the in vitro cytotoxicity test on K562 leukemia cells demonstrated substantial growth inhibition with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of approximately 54.4 μg. Molecular docking analysis indicated specific interactions between phycocyanin and the G-protein- coupled receptor GPRC5D, a target associated with bone marrow malignancies, thereby suggesting its potential as a safe, naturally derived therapeutic agent. To overcome instability under environmental stress, edible oil-based encapsulation using homogenization was applied, resulting in improved pH and thermal resistance. The encapsulated form-maintained stability within pH 4.8–7.5 and tolerated temperatures up to 60 °C. Overall, this study highlights phycocyanin as a promising bioactive molecule for anticancer and pharmaceutical applications, warranting further in vivo and clinical investigations.

Keywords : Phycocyanin, Spirulina Platensis, Antioxidant Activity, Encapsulation, Anticancer Effect, Molecular Docking, GPRC5D.

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