Blue Phycocyanin

Blue Phycocyanin - Premium Natural Blue Pigment Manufacturer & Supplier

Shaanxi Hongda Phytochemistry is a reliable provider and producer of Blue Phycocyanin, providing you with competitive advantages in the natural colourant sector. We have specialised in extraction of phycocyanin of Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) with high purity by applying sophisticated technologies and strict quality control methods since 2001. With 20,000 square meter plant with 100,000 purification workshops, we are able to guarantee a stable output of food grade, cosmetic grade and analytical grade product that are in compliance with international standards including FDA, EFSA, cGMP, FSSC22000 and ISO Certifications. Our three dedicated planting bases control quality from source to end product, supplying stable cyan-blue pigments with excellent colour value (E18/E25/E3.0 UV standards) to meet your clean-label formulation needs. Our technological experience and 3,000-ton yearly manufacturing capacity provide reliable supply chains, reasonable pricing and customised solutions to add brilliant natural colour and functional health advantages to your products.

Phycocyanin Powder Supplier

This amazing pigment-protein combination is nature's response to artificial blue colourants. Organic phycocyanin powder is a water soluble phycobiliprotein extracted from carefully grown Spirulina biomass using our innovative cold water extraction technology that preserves its functional protein structure while delivering remarkable colour intensity. The chromophore phycocyanobilin offers vivid cyan-blue colours that are durable under neutral pH conditions and a key ingredient for producers looking for clean-label options. Our standardised requirements enable reproducible colouring performance from batch to batch of manufacture, with the added benefit of visual appeal and antioxidant efficacy in one natural substance.

Third Test Report

Purity Analysis: Independent third-party laboratory testing by SGS verifies A620/A280 ratios of 0.7–2.5 for food and cosmetic grades, validating protein integrity and chromophore concentration.

Heavy Metal Compliance: Lead <0.5ppm, Arsenic <0.3ppm, Cadmium <0.2ppm and Mercury <0.1ppm, substantially below the international safety limits set by the FDA and EU standards.

Microbiological Safety: Total Plate Count <1000 CFU/g, Yeast & Mould <100 CFU/g, E.coli and Salmonella absent, safe for direct addition to consumable items as food-grade.

Pesticide Residue Screening: Multi-residue analysis of 500+ substances shows non-detectable levels, meeting the strict organic and clean-label criteria for premium formulations.

Blue Phycocyanin Specification

Please contact our professional team to get phycocyanin powder's COA or more information:duke@hongdaherb.com

Blue Phycocyanin Advantages

Clean Label Compliance: This natural pigment is the only FDA-approved (21 CFR 73.530) and EFSA-recognized natural blue alternative to synthetic Brilliant Blue FCF, satisfying consumer desire for transparency and ingredient recognition without sacrificing visual impact.

Dual Functionality: Not only is this phycobiliprotein bright in colour, but it also has demonstrated antioxidant activity by scavenging peroxyl, hydroxyl and alkoxyl radicals, giving formulators the benefit of one ingredient investment for both aesthetic and functional health benefits.

pH Stability Range: Unlike butterfly pea flower extracts which turn purple in acidic conditions, the phycocyanin in our product is stable in the true cyan-blue shades within the pH range of 5.5-7.0, allowing for greater formulation flexibility in neutral-pH beverages, dairy substitutes and confections.

Regulatory Global Acceptance: With approvals from US FDA, EU EFSA, Japan and major Asian countries, this ingredient allows for effortless international product releases without the hassle of reformulation in diverse regulatory environments.

Excellent Colour Intensity: Our product has E18-E3.0 specification, which means it has great tinctorial strength. It takes only a small dosage (usually 0.01-0.05%) to produce a beautiful blue colour, therefore your cost per application will be less than other, less pure products.

Blue Phycocyanin Application

Beverage Innovation: Stable blue colour at neutral pH levels provides eye-catching ocean-blue and gradient effects for plant-based protein shakes, sports nutrition drinks, premium water enhancers, and dairy-free milk substitutes.

Confectionery Artistry: stunning blue tints are achieved using premium candies, gummy formulations, marshmallows and colourful icings after processing, offering clean-label indulgence items for health-conscious consumers seeking natural pleasures.

Functional Foods: Smoothie bowls, yoghurt alternatives, ice cream and nutritious bars use this ingredient as a colouring and wellness branding tool with antioxidant qualities providing a marketing advantage in premium health food categories.

Cosmetic Formulations: It’s natural origin and skin-compatible protein structure are used in personal care products including face masks, bath bombs, hair treatments, and colour cosmetics, fulfilling the increasing demand for beauty ingredients from plants.

Nutraceutical Supplements: Capsules, pills and powder blends are available with concentrated phycocyanin for its demonstrated immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects, to meet the functional supplement market beyond simple colourant needs.

Production Process

Step 1 – Raw Material Selection: We obtain high quality Arthrospira platensis biomass from our certified organic growing bases, where controlled environmental parameters lead to excellent phycocyanin concentration. Outcome: Consistent starting material with 15-18% protein and few impurities

Step 2 – Cell Disruption:. The biomass is gently broken by mechanical cell wall disruption using our patented low temperature grinding method to retain protein integrity and release intracellular phycobiliproteins. maximum extraction of pigment without thermal degradation.

Step 3 – Aqueous Extraction: The phycocyanin complex is solubilised using cold water extraction at regulated pH 6.5-7.0, while chlorophyll and lipids remain in the biomass residue. Result: Clear blue extract solution (first separation of undesirable green pigments).

Step 4 – Purification & Concentration: Multi-stage filtration, including microfiltration and ultrafiltration, eliminates polysaccharides and concentrates the protein-pigment combination to required E-value requirements. Result: Liquid concentrate standardised to set purity ratios.

Step 5 – Spray Drying & Stabilization: We use a dedicated low temperature spray drying process with food-grade carriers such as trehalose to develop a stable powder with a protected chromophore structure. Result: Blue powder free flowing. Shelf stability of 18-24 months when properly stored.

OEM / ODM Support

Custom Formulation Development: Our professor-level R&D team of 20+ will work with your product development goals to design proprietary mixes that combine Blue Phycocyanin with complimentary natural colours, flavours, or functional substances to match your brand’s distinct positioning.

Flexible Specification Options: We manufacture the whole range of purity from food grade E18 to analytical grade E3.0, adapting carrier systems and particle sizes to suit your application requirements, whether liquid concentrates or fine powders.

Packaging Customisation: Our packaging lines are designed to suit your distribution needs from bulk 25kg fibre drums to consumer-ready sachets, bottles or stick packs, with customised labelling, private branding and child-resistant closures where needed.

Regulatory Documentation Assistance: We can supply you all the technical files you need to speed up your product registration processes such as specs sheets, allergen declarations, organic certificates, GMO-free declarations and regulatory compliance papers for each nation.

Rapid Prototyping Services: Our application laboratory will provide proof-of-concept samples within 5-7 working days, enabling you to verify colour performance, stability and sensory qualities inside your actual formulation matrix before committing to complete production orders.

Why Choose Us?

Working with Shaanxi Hongda Phytochemistry is more than having a supplier, it is having a vertically integrated manufacturing ecosystem. Our source-controlled Spirulina farming and 23 years of industry experience provide us traceability from algae pond to finished product. SGS-standardized laboratory with HPLC, GC and UV spectrophotometers ensures every batch meets your exact standards. We have a diverse 3,000 square meter warehouse carrying ready merchandise for fast distribution, so that supply disruptions that can derail your production schedules are prevented. We have certifications such as cGMP, FSSC22000, Organic (EU & NOP), Kosher and Halal, making your multi-market plans easier. Most importantly, our specialised technical support team provides continuing formulation guidance, stability testing recommendations and troubleshooting assistance, ensuring that your success becomes our success. We do more than supply ingredients, we establish long lasting partnerships that inspire natural product development creativity.

FAQ

Q: What makes phycocyanin different from synthetic blue dyes?

A: Unlike petroleum-derived Brilliant Blue FCF, this protein-based colourant offers clean-label claims, natural origin claims and antioxidant efficacy. It answers the customer desire for recognisable ingredients while giving regulatory benefits to formulators in natural product categories.

Q: Can I use this colourant in high temperature processing?

A: Protein denaturation begins above 45°C. The colour will be lost above 60°C. We propose using it after pasteurisation, using it in cold-process formulations or as decorative features such as icing, rather than baking or retort sterilisation.

Q: Why does the colour vary across batches?

A: The pigment concentration of biomass varies seasonally in nature. We correct for this using E-value standardisation and batch blending . To ensure absolute consistency, please mention your intended E-value (E18/E25/E3.0) and we will calibrate using colorimetric analysis, not just basic weight measurements.

Q: How do I keep this ingredient?

A: Keep in original unopened packaging at temperatures below 20°C in full darkness. Light leads to rapid degradation of the chromophore. Expected shelf life is 18-24 months under ideal conditions. After opening, use within 3 months and prevent from moisture uptake.

Q: What is the best dosage for colour?

A: Typically 0.01-0.05% (100-500ppm) delivers vibrant blue in most applications. Exact dosage depends on your product matrix, intensity required and interference from other coloured substances. We suggest doing small-scale tests to find your perfect concentration.

Customer testimonials:

Shaanxi hongda's Blue Spirulina powder is so... Blue!

You know what you can do with this? You can make your own homemade version of a Coconut Cloud Smoothie.

I'd get this again.

Coconut Cloud Smoothie

Contact Us

Ready to transform your products with nature's Blue Phycocyanin?

Get in touch today: duke@hongdaherb.com