What does phycoerythrin mean?
Phycoerythrin is a red protein pigment found in many red algae. It functions as an accessory pigment in photosynthesis: the pigment molecules absorb blue-green light, which penetrates ocean water effectively, and transfer some of the resulting energy to chlorophyll for use in photosynthesis. Although chlorophyll captures light most efficiently in the red and blue regions of the spectrum, phycoerythrin broadens the range of usable light and may help red algae live at considerable depths. The pigment is also extracted commercially and used as a vivid red or pink colourant, especially in foods, cosmetics, and laboratory applications. Its name reflects its biological source and colour: the first element derives from Greek roots associated with seaweed, while the second refers to redness. Although the term is mainly encountered in biology, biotechnology, and food-colour technology, it neatly illustrates how organisms exploit different parts of the visible spectrum.
nounA red, water-soluble protein pigment found in many red algae, where it acts as an accessory pigment during photosynthesis. It absorbs blue-green light and transfers the captured energy to chlorophyll.
- A red chromoprotein pigment occurring in red algae and functioning as an accessory photosynthetic pigment.
"Phycoerythrin gives many red algae their characteristic reddish colour."
"Researchers used phycoerythrin fluorescence to identify microscopic algae in the water sample."
"The pigment is extracted from red algae and used as a natural colourant."
Rarely used in the plural, but potentially employed when referring to distinct forms or preparations of the pigment.
"The study compared the absorption properties of several phycoerythrins from different algal sources."
A red pigment helps red algae harvest blue-green light, allowing them to thrive at depths where much of the visible spectrum has already disappeared.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does phycoerythrin come from?
Phycoerythrin was formed in the 19th century from scientific elements drawn from Greek. Phyco- comes from phykos, meaning seaweed, while erythro- comes from erythros, meaning red; the ending -in identifies it as a chemical or pigmental substance. The term was created to describe the characteristic red pigment of red algae and belongs to a family of Greek-derived scientific names, including erythrocyte and erythema, based on the same root for redness.
Related word forms
How phycoerythrin is actually used
This is primarily a scientific and technical term. It should not be confused with phycobilin, a broader category of open-chain tetrapyrrole pigments, or with the red pigment derived from the pigment's degradation product.
Easily confused with phycoerythrin
Phycoerythrin is primarily red, whereas phycocyanin is a predominantly blue photosynthetic pigment found especially in cyanobacteria and some algae.
Phycoerythrin absorbs mainly blue-green light, while phycochlorin absorbs red and orange light and is found in certain green algae.