Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal M. Parekh Marg, Matunga (East), Mumbai 400 019, Maharashtra, India.

Department of  Fibres and Textile Processing Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal M. Parekh Marg, Matunga (East), Mumbai 400 019, Maharashtra, India.

The prolonged use of natural colours has not only had an adverse effect on environment but also human health. In view of these concerns, natural colours/pigments are now becoming alternatives to synthetic ones. The present study involved isolation, identification, and characterization of the natural pigment producing bacteria and its applicability in textile field. Various microbes screened from the garden soil of our institute (ICT Mumbai) resulted in isolation of a yellow-pigment-producing bacterium. The 16s-rRNA results disclosed that these bacteria had 99% similarity to Kocuria flava sp. HO-9041. The dyeing of fabric (silk and wool) with the extracted pigment showed a good dye uptake, and the colour strength given by K/S (ratio of absorption/scattering) increased satisfactorily upon dying with bacterial pigment. These tests showed the ability of the pigment to be used as colorant for fabrics, enhanced more so by the dying in absence of a mordant (substance used for attaching dye to fabric). Apart from its applicability in textiles, the pigment showed antibacterial activity also. This may give rise to potential applications of such dyed fabrics in apparels, children-ware, and medical textiles, where hygienic conditions are required.

Keywords:Kocuria flava, Yellow pigment, Wool, K/S value, Silk, Medical textiles.