VIO BY SPACE FOR BIOMATERIALS

Credits

Photos: SBYD, Dominik Antoni Krolikowski

Bacterial pigments are currently being investigated as potential sustainable alternatives to dyes made from petroleum-derived compounds or heavy metals. Janthinobacterium lividum is a soil-dwelling bacterium that produces a dark-violet-coloured compound called violacein, which has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The wood stain for Vio was produced by growing Janthinobacterium lividum in a lab, extracting the violacein pigment, and then creating a ethanol-based colour that can be applied to wood.