Applications for B-Phycoerythrin
Because of its high quantum yield, B-PE is considered the world’s brightest fluorophore. It is compatible with commonly available lasers and gives exceptional results in flow cytometry, Luminex® and immunofluorescent staining. B-PE is also less “sticky” than common synthetic fluorophores and therefore gives less background interference.
Structural Characteristics
B-phycoerythrin (B-PE) is produced by certain red algae such as Rhodella sp. The specific spectral characteristics are a result of the composition of its subunits. B-PE is composed of at least three subunits and sometimes more. The chromophore distribution is as follows: α subunit with 2 phycoerythrobilins (PEB), β subunit with 3 PEB, and the γ subunit with 2 PEB and 2 phycourobilins (PUB). The quaternary structure is reported as (αβ)6γ. The molecular weight of B-PE is approximately 240,000 Daltons.
Spectral
Characteristics
| Absorption maximum | 545 nm |
| Additional Absorption peak | 563.5 nm |
| Emission maximum | 572 nm |
| Extinction Coefficient (ε) | 2.41 x 106 M-1cm-1 |
| Quantum Yield (QY) | 0.98 |
| Brightness (ε x QY) | 2.36 x 106 M-1cm-1 |
Specifications
| A545/A280 ≥ 5.5 |
| A620/A546 ≤ 0.01 |
