Modeling of Color and Degradation of C‐Phycocyanin Extracted From <i>Arthrospira platensis</i> and <i>Chlorogloeopsis</i> HTF

Color stability of C‐phycocyanin (C‐PC) from two different sources, mesophilic Arthrospira platensis and thermophilic Chlorogloeopsis HTF, was investigated. For this purpose, C‐PC solutions were heat treated at various temperatures (50–85°C) and pH levels (3.5, 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0). Changes in color and protein concentrations were measured between 1 and 30 min. These changes were successfully modeled using a nonlinear reaction rate approach. The model parameters obtained enable a prediction of color changes for various treatment conditions and an optimization of treatment conditions with respect to color retention. Solutions from Chlorogloeopsis HTF showed a better stability at higher pH values compared to those from A. platensis , but these differences disappeared at lower pH values.