Innovative and sustainable dyes for yarn are formed through fermentation using bacteria.
Yet, in its search for a petroleum-free alternative for colourful textiles, a research team in South Korea created rainbow-coloured cellulose in a single process. Their recipe?
Combining cultures from two optimised bacterial strains. Acetic acid bacteria belonging to the K. xylinus strain generated the cellulose, while E.coli strains normally present in the gut supplied the colour.
In tests, the bacterial cellulose was heated in water or treated with bleaching agent and acid. Almost all the colours were well preserved.
Elsewhere, the search is on for new proteins for biodegradable fibres. Orange pulp is likewise important for the textile industry. Even cow dung has a role to play!
