Spirulina sp. LEB 18-extracted phycocyanin: Effects on liposomes' physicochemical parameters and correlation with antiradical/antioxidant properties

This study describes the physicochemical properties of soybean asolectin (ASO) liposomes loaded with phycocyanin (Phy) extracted from Spirulina sp. LEB 18. The effects of Phy in the liposomes' properties were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), H-1 and P-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), zeta zeta-potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) techniques. Phy restricted the motion of ASO polar and interface groups and disrupted the package arrangement of the lipid hydrophobic regions, as a likely effect of dipolar and 't interactions related to its amino acid residues and pyrrole portions. These interactions were correlated to antiradical/antioxidant Phy responses obtained by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhidrazil (DPPH) assay, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, and discussed to bring new chemical perspectives about Phy-loaded liposomes-related nutraceutical applications in inflammatory and viral infection processes.

Automated summary

This study investigated the physicochemical properties of soybean asolectin (ASO) liposomes loaded with phycocyanin (Phy) extracted from Spirulina sp. LEB 18. The interactions between Phy and the liposomes were found to impact the lipid arrangement and polar groups in the system, which in turn influenced the antioxidant responses of Phy. These findings provide new chemical insights into the potential nutraceutical applications of Phy-loaded liposomes in inflammatory and viral infection processes.