Rosaria Lauceri
EMail0323 518317 Orcid Scholar |
Rosaria
Lauceri
Water research institute Researcher Nutrheff Thematic Biomolecular technologies (enzymatic, biochemical, molecular biology), Clinical and nutritional studies
Research Interest and expertise in the field of nutraceuticals
and functional food
Keywords: Phycocyanin; Purification; High purity grade; Membrane Chromatography; Innovative extraction; Arthrospira platensis; Spirulina; Ready-to-market pigment; Patent; B-phycoerythrin; Porphyridium cruentum
Nutraceuticals and foods of interestAlgal/cyanobacterial bioactive compounds, particularly phycobiliproteins (PBPs). PBPs are water-soluble non-toxic pigment-proteins produced by some microalgae, that have strong antioxidant as well as anticancer, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, so having many commercial applications. We have patented a purification method to obtain analytical grade pigment and have recently submitted a patent application dealing with a new innovative phycobiliprotein extraction process. Phycocyanin and allophycocyanin extracted from Arthrospira platensis (i.e. Spirulina) Fields of application Food (as a colorant for dairy products, ice cream, powdered drinks, stuffing for cakes, smoothies, candies, etc.), nutraceuticals (as a protein supplement, with a high content of essential amino acids, with high antioxidant and immune-stimulating power) and cosmetics (in formulations of product for skin hydration, as a cosmetic dye (eyeshadow, lipstick, mask, etc.)), which are the largest sectors of market, and as a dye for the coatings of pharmaceutical products (tablets, capsules) as well. Phycocyanin is also used as fluorescent probe (for example in flow cytometry and immune assays). Moreover, the use of phycocyanin as nontoxic photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumours has been reported. Facilities and equipments climatic chambers, microscopes, autoclaves, analytical balance, shakers, ultrapure water production apparatus, pH-meters, homogenizers, filtering apparatus, large volume high speed refrigerated centrifuge, rotary evaporators, ultrasonic processor/sonotrodes, biohazard safety cabinet, HPLC, spectrophotometer, spectrofluorometer, lab-scale purification module prototype (exploiting our patented technology based on Membrane Chromatography). |
