Innovative Use of Microbial Pigments for Environmentally Sustainable Fabric Dyeing
Jaewon Yoo
Seoul Foreign School, 39 Yeonhui-ro 22-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03723, South Korea
Publication date: December 12, 2024
Seoul Foreign School, 39 Yeonhui-ro 22-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03723, South Korea
Publication date: December 12, 2024
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/JIYRC202422
ABSTRACT
The textile industry is one of the largest contributors to global water pollution, responsible for approximately 20% of the world's water contamination due to its extensive use of synthetic dyes. These dyes, while effective for fabric coloration, often contain toxic compounds that persist in the environment, posing a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. In response to this issue, sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes are increasingly being explored. This study aimed to investigate the potential of microbial carotenoids, natural pigments produced by bacteria, as an environmentally friendly substitute for synthetic dyes in textile applications. Specifically, we focused on isolating bacterial strains capable of producing carotenoids and evaluated their effectiveness in dyeing natural fibers. Our result showed that isolated bacteria from food-degrading sources efficiently produced the colored pigments. Also, the colored pigments were successfully applied to the ramie fibers. These results showed that microbial carotenoids can be applied to the textile industry to compensate for the toxic synthetic dyes. This study indicates the environmental benefits of using bacterial pigments. This application method can significantly reduce the textile industry's dependence on water pollution and provide a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes.
The textile industry is one of the largest contributors to global water pollution, responsible for approximately 20% of the world's water contamination due to its extensive use of synthetic dyes. These dyes, while effective for fabric coloration, often contain toxic compounds that persist in the environment, posing a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. In response to this issue, sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes are increasingly being explored. This study aimed to investigate the potential of microbial carotenoids, natural pigments produced by bacteria, as an environmentally friendly substitute for synthetic dyes in textile applications. Specifically, we focused on isolating bacterial strains capable of producing carotenoids and evaluated their effectiveness in dyeing natural fibers. Our result showed that isolated bacteria from food-degrading sources efficiently produced the colored pigments. Also, the colored pigments were successfully applied to the ramie fibers. These results showed that microbial carotenoids can be applied to the textile industry to compensate for the toxic synthetic dyes. This study indicates the environmental benefits of using bacterial pigments. This application method can significantly reduce the textile industry's dependence on water pollution and provide a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes.
