The textile industry contributes a substantial amount of environmental pollution in the form of synthetic azo dyes. These dyes are long-lived chemicals that are photolytically stable and include some mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Innovative alternatives to these synthetic dyes could minimize the negative ecological impact of the textile industry. Dyes may also contain heavy metals such as lead or cadmium, which are used as catalysts in their synthesis but are hazardous when concentrated or in close contact with the skin. This research project is focused on developing a bioengineered strain of yeast that can be used to manufacture biosynthetic red and yellow pigments derived from genes extracted from beetroot. These biosynthetic dyes will be purified, and their fabric-staining properties will be characterized. This research will serve as a proof-of-concept study that could lay the foundation for a future where fashionable clothing and environmental responsibility seamlessly coexist.
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