Porphyridium cruentum is a species of red algae in the family Porphyridiophyceae.
Porphyridium cruentum | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | |
(unranked): | |
Division: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | Porphyridiaceae
|
Genus: | Porphyridium
|
Species: | P. cruentum
|
Binomial name | |
Porphyridium cruentum (S.F.Gray) Nägeli
| |
Synonyms | |
Olivia cruenta S. F. Gray |
The microalga Porphyridium sp. is a potential source for several products like fatty acids, lipids, cell-wall polysaccharides and pigments . The polysaccharides of this species are sulphated and their structure gives rise to some unique properties that could lead to a broad range of industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Additionally, P. cruentum biomass contains carbohydrates of up to 57% have been reported. Thus, the combined amount of carbohydrates in biomass and exopolysaccharides of this microalga could potentially provide the source for bio-fuel and pharmaceutical.[1][2] This algae contains phycoerythrin that can be extracted by lyse and chromatography.[3]
The genus Porphyridium has been classified among blue-green, red, and green algae.[4]