Valorization of pineapple peel waste for fungal pigment production using Talaromyces albobiverticillius: Insights into antibacterial, antioxidant and textile dyeing properties

The present study explores natural pigments as sustainable alternatives to synthetic textile dyes. Due to their therapeutic applications and easy production, fungal pigments have gained attention. However, data on pigment production using solid-state fermentation and optimization is limited. Milk whey was used to grow Talaromyces sp., followed by an evaluation of pigment production in solid and liquid media. Pineapple peels were used as a cost-effective substrate for pigment production, and a one-factor-at-a-time approach was used to enhance pigment production. Pineapple peel-based media produced 0.523 +/- 0.231 mg/g of pigment after eight days of incubation. The crude pigment had promising antibacterial and significant antioxidant properties. The extraction fungal pigment's possible use as an eco-friendly textile dye was assessed through fabric dyeing experiments with different mordants. This work contributes to the valorization of agricultural waste and provides insight into using fungal pigments as sustainable alternatives to synthetic textile dyes.

Automated summary

The study investigates the use of natural pigments as sustainable substitutes for synthetic textile dyes. Fungal pigments have gained attention due to their therapeutic applications and easy production, but there is limited data on pigment production through solid-state fermentation and optimization. In this study, Talaromyces sp. was grown using milk whey, and the production of pigments in solid and liquid media was evaluated. Pineapple peels were utilized as a cost-effective substrate for pigment production, and a one-factor-at-a-time approach was employed to enhance pigment production. The resulting crude pigment showed promising antibacterial and significant antioxidant properties. Fabric dyeing experiments with different mordants were conducted to assess the possible use of the extracted fungal pigment as an eco-friendly textile dye. This work contributes to the valorization of agricultural waste and provides insights into utilizing fungal pigments as sustainable alternatives to synthetic textile dyes.