2021 • Biology • Biodesign
Violacein is extracted from bacterial cultures through a fermentation process, producing a naturally occurring purple pigment with inherent antibiotic properties. The cultivation process begins with growing bacterial colonies in controlled laboratory conditions, where the violacein compound is produced as a secondary metabolite. Once harvested, the pigment is applied to natural textile fibers including silk, cotton, and linen through immersion dyeing techniques. The antibiotic properties of the pigment remain active even after bonding with textile fibers, offering natural antimicrobial protection to the finished fabric. This biological alternative to synthetic textile dyes addresses the environmental impact of conventional dyeing processes, which rank among the most polluting industrial practices globally. 
