Evaluation of antifungal activity of ‎purified phycocyanin from ‎Spirulina platensis cultured in Iran ‎against Candida albicans

Nowadays, use of natural colors in food and medicine, due to toxic effects of synthetic colors is so important. Phycocyanin (PC) is an innate blue pigment with many mercantile usages in foods, cosmetics and medicines extracted from Spirulina platensis. In addition, it has been proven that phycocyanin has antifungal, antioxidant and anticancer activities. The present study was undertaken to value the antifungal activity of phycocyanin which was separated from the blue green algae Spirulina platensis cultured in Iran.  Phycocyanin extracted by sonication and centrifugation and purified by ammonium sulfate sedimentation and dialysis method. Purified sample was tested by UV Spectrophotometer absorption and FT-IR and antifungal activity of phycocyanin in different concentration was investigated against Candida albicans, on sabouraud dextrose (SD) agar plates, under sterile conditions. In UV Spectrophotometer, a wide peak range at 280, 615, 652 nm was gained. Also, structure and molecular bonds of phycocyanin was confirmed via FT-IR. An Anticandidal activity of phycocyanin was confirmed and maximum anti-fungal activity was observed in 20 and 25 mg/ml concentration of phycocyanin. In the present study, the use of phycocyanin has shown an antifungal effect against Candida albicans. This pigment seems to be a good alternative to chemical drugs in the treatment of Candidiasis.