Quantitative Determination Method of Biliproteins in Dried Laver (Porphyra yezoensis)

Abstract

Quantitative determination methods of biliproteins including allophycocyanin, phycocyanin and phycoerythrin in the dried laver (Porphyra yezoensis) were studied. When the laver was homogenized in a mortar with a pestle for two to three minutes, biliproteins were much effectively extracted into phosphate buffer. Two days at 5°C was adopted as the extraction period of the proteins. The protein contents were calculated by measuring the absorbance of the buffer solution at 650, 615 and 563nm. This method was superior to the conventional methods because of the simplified procedure, shortterm extraction period, small amounts of sample required and the highest recovery of the pigments. Amongst several lavers that were commercially available, maximum biliprotein contents were observed in the laver of the highest-grade, followed by intermediate- and low-grade in the decreasing order.