From Microscope to Moisturizer: Porphyridium in the Classroom and to Human Health
If you're teaching AP Biology or Environmental Science, Porphyridium sp. is an ideal microalga to bring into your curriculum. Its vivid red color comes from β-phycoerythrin—a water-soluble pigment that helps it absorb green wavelengths of light, making it perfect for lessons on photosynthesis, pigment diversity, and ecological adaptation. This microalga thrives in a variety of conditions and is easy to culture in the classroom, giving students hands-on experience with microbial eukaryotes.
Porphyridium isn’t just visually engaging—it’s loaded with physiological teaching potential. Its cells produce sulfated exopolysaccharides (s-EPSs) that retain moisture, protect tissues, and upregulate key skin genes like aquaporin-3 and involucrin. In studies, these molecules support wound healing, improve skin elasticity, and protect against oxidative damage—linking gene expression and protein function directly to human biology. Its ability to stimulate immune pathways (including cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α) makes it relevant to immunology, too.
For a classroom-ready lab, students can perform a water-soluble pigment extraction using the Porphyridium sp. Culture Kit from Algae Research and Supply. The kit includes live algae and growth media, allowing students to grow and harvest cells. They can then extract β-phycoerythrin using distilled water or buffer and analyze its absorbance spectrum using a spectrophotometer or a phone-based app. This ties in core concepts in spectroscopy, light absorption, and pigment biology, while also reinforcing hands-on lab skills.
What’s especially exciting is that this isn’t just an academic exercise—Porphyridium sp. is the key ingredient in our new Porphose skincare line, including Porphose Eczema Relief and Skin Shielding Mist. The same compounds students are analyzing in the lab are being used in cutting-edge skincare to hydrate, soothe, and protect sensitive skin. With Porphyridium sp., you’re not just growing algae—you’re growing connections between science, sustainability, and real-world biotechnology.
