Background Terms and Context

Cyanobacteria

They are a phylum of Gram-negative bacteria that is able to obtain energy by photosynthesis. They produce and release oxygen as a byproduct of the photosynthesis.

They have evolutionarily optimized to live in environments with low oxygen levels.

They often live in colonial aggregates (which means that the bacteria has no interaction with itself).

Danger of Cyanobacteria:

Exposure to cyanobacteria can result in symptoms including (depending on the level of exposure):

  • Skin irritation

  • Stomach cramps

  • Vomiting

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Fever

  • Sore throat

  • Headache

  • Muscle and Joint pain

  • blisters of the mouth

  • Liver damage

Phycocyanin

Definition: A pigment-protein complex from the light-harvesting phycobiliprotein. Are blue in color which results from their absorption of red-orange wavelengths of light. Found in Cyanobacteria.


Uses:

1) can promote animal blood cell regeneration

2) improve lymphocyte activity and lymphatic system to improve immune function

3) comprehensively enhance the disease resistance of the body


Chlorophyll-a

Definition: A specific form of chlorophyll used in oxygenic photosynthesis. Absorbs most energy from wavelengths of violet-blue and orange-red light. It is a poor absorber of green and near-green portions of the spectrum.