Method of dyeing fabric using microorganisms

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for dyeing fabrics, yarns and fibers using microorganisms whereby the adsorption of dye-containing microorganisms onto textile fibers is improved using carbon sources above a threshold concentration. Dye molecules contained within the microorganism are released from the microorganism and fixed directly and locally to the textile fibers using a heat treatment step. Said heat treatment also deactivates the carrier microorganisms. Single or multiple microorganism species, and single or multiple dyes produced by said single or multiple microorganism species may create a variety of textile colors. Suitable synthetic dyes may also be added before, during or after microorganisms have produced dyes but before the dye-releasing heat treatment step.

1 . A method for dyeing a substrate, comprising:
 a. culturing a dye-producing microorganism in the presence of a substrate to be dyed, and in the presence of a growth medium comprising a carbon source above a predetermined threshold concentration, such that the microorganism is cultured in contact with the substrate;   b. lysing the cultured microorganism to release dye in contact with the substrate; and   c. fixing the released dye onto the substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold concentration of carbon source is 10% (v/v) to 90% (v/v) depending on the carbon source selected to optimize the transfer rate of dye-containing microorganisms to the substrate, and the quality of subsequent dye fixation to the substrate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lysing and fixing steps are carried out in a single process. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lysing and fixing are carried out by exposing the substrate and microorganism to heat above 101° C. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more culture parameters selected from temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, pH and agitation frequency are selected so as to optimize the production of dye, the transfer rate to the substrate, and the quality of fixation to the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising initially culturing the dye-producing microorganism in the absence of the substrate to be dyed, prior to step 1a. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising washing the dyed substrate to remove waste contaminants prior to and post step 1c. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein two or more different dye-producing microorganism species are used simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein two or more different dyes are produced by one or more different microorganisms. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein additional dyes, including dyes added exogenously, are present during the lysing and fixing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is selected from natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic and mixed substrates. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises a member selected from silk, cotton, flax, wool, and leather. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises a member selected from rayon and acetate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises a member selected from polyester, nylon, acrylic, elastin, polyvinyl and similar petrochemical derivatives. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dye-producing microorganism produces a dye selected from biologically derived pigments, chromoproteins, fluorescent proteins and bioluminescent proteins. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is a eukaryotic organism. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the eukaryotic organism is selected from plant, algae, fungi, worms and arthropods. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is a prokaryotic organism. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the prokaryotic organism is selected from archae and eubacteria. 
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is genetically modified. 
     
     
         23 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon source is glycerol. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon source is present at a concentration range of 10% (v/v) to 90% (v/v), preferably 15% (v/v) to 60% (v/v), more preferably 20% (v/v) to 40% (v/v). 
     
     
         31 . A method for dyeing a substrate according to  claim 1  using dye contained within a dye-producing microorganism, the method comprising lysing a cultured dye-producing microorganism to release dye in contact with the substrate; and fixing the released dye onto the substrate. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the heat is selected from direct heat or indirect heat. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the direct heat comprises exposing the substrate and microorganisms in a suitable receptacle over a flame, hotplate or electric heater; or wherein the indirect heat comprises heating the substrate and microorganisms in an autoclave or microwave. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold carbon source concentration is selected so as to promote distortion of shape of the microorganism during growth.