Korean team uses bacteria to spin rainbow-hued, eco-friendly textiles

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed an innovative, eco-friendly method to produce and dye textiles using living bacteria. Their approach leverages bacterial cellulose—a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fibers—grown by Komagataeibacter xylinus, combined with color-producing microbes that generate a full spectrum of natural pigments. Cool tones (green to purple) are derived from violaceins, while warm hues (red to yellow) come from carotenoids. The team overcame initial challenges of microbial interference by employing two specialized culturing strategies, enabling simultaneous fabric growth and coloration. The resulting rainbow-hued bacterial cellulose textiles demonstrated strong durability, retaining color after washing, bleaching, heating, and exposure to harsh chemicals. Notably, violacein-based dyes outperformed some synthetic dyes in wash tests. While this method offers a promising sustainable alternative to the environmentally damaging, chemical-heavy processes currently dominating the textile industry, significant obstacles remain. Scaling production to industrial levels and achieving economic competitiveness