© 2024 SURF
Colours are an essential component of human lives since they can influence the final appearance of many
products. A large variety of choices can be affected by the colours which are presented to us, for example in
the food industry, product design, textiles etc. (Rao et al. 2017).
Synthetic colours are dominating nowadays landscape, due to their ease of production, low manufacturing
costs and resistance (UV, temperature) in use. However, many of these are also considered hazardous to
both human and environmental wellbeing. In the effort of achieving a more sustainable society and limit
environmental footprint, natural pigments are arising more and more interest (Velmurugan et al, 2009). As a
consequence, the demand of natural pigments is expected to undergo a sharp rise in the future market (Venil
et al. 2013).
Further research is needed in order to render natural colours both more economically viable and better
employable in industry (i.e. process standardization, pigments stability). Biobased pigments can derive from a
variety of sources, such as plants, bacteria, algae and fungi (Venkatachalam et al. 2018).
The present project is a feasibility study on producing novel biobased pigments with fungi. In order to
understand the most optimal production requirements, the biological conditions and novel extraction
techniques will be considered. The initial characterisation of the produced pigments will be carried out both
regarding the chemical composition and the properties, such as UV- and thermal stability.
The SME companies, BioscienZ and Phytonext and the Avans Centre of Expertise BioBased Economy
(CoEBBE) will combine their expertise and collaborate with a goal to make a step change in production of
biobased colourants.