US scientists make octopus' color-changing pigment using microbes

Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have successfully produced large quantities of xanthommatin, a natural pigment responsible for the color-changing camouflage abilities of octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish. This breakthrough was achieved by engineering bacteria through a novel "growth-coupled biosynthesis" method, which links bacterial survival directly to pigment production, creating a self-sustaining loop that significantly boosts output. The team’s approach yields up to 1,000 times more pigment than traditional extraction methods, producing as much as three grams per liter compared to just a few milligrams previously. To further enhance production, the researchers employed robotics and machine learning to optimize the bacteria, demonstrating a new frontier in sustainable biomanufacturing driven by automation and computational design. Beyond cephalopods, xanthommatin is also found in insects, contributing to their vibrant colors, but has been difficult to study due to limited availability. This advancement not only provides a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel