ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND POTENTIAL OF BACTERIA AS BIOCOLORANT AGENTS IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY

Abstract

The substantial volume of synthetic dyes used in textile industry poses a high risk of chemical hazard to human health and environment. Bacterial biopigments offer a greener alternate by virtue of their biodegradable and eco-friendly nature. The current study was designed to isolate, characterize and use bacterial biopigments as dyeing agents. Two pigmented bacteria [Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Tp10) and Pseudomonas putida (Tr6)] were purified. These strains showed optimal growth and pigment production in peptone broth media at 37^oC, pH=7, 2-4% salination of the growth media, shaking and dark conditions. Colorimetric analysis revealed maximum absorbance by the biopigments extracted in diethyl ether and chloroform at 440-450nm. The dyeing potential and coloring stability of these pigments were assessed in fabrics, cotton, tissue paper and soap, which showed satisfactory washing fastness after three washing cycles. Anti-bacterial assay of extracted pigments indicated anti-bacterial agents. This study concluded that microbial pigments can be used for dyeing in textile industry as a natural alternate to the synthetic dyes.