Many countries have banned synthetic dyes, while some have restricted their use, for reasons related to the fact that they may cause allergies and other health problems. Therefore, there is a constant effort to find natural sources for producing dyes that are environmentally and health-friendly, which is what a Brazilian research team has succeeded in doing.
Researchers from the Federal University of Amazonas and the University of Sao Paulo announced in a study published in the journal ACS Omega that they have found that the fungus "Talaromys amstolkiai," which is found naturally in the rainforests of the Amazon region of Brazil, can produce natural pigments in bright colors ranging from red to yellow. These pigments are antioxidant and antibacterial, making their use in cosmetics such as face creams and shampoos safer for the skin.
It is dark brown in color and has a wide cap with a diameter of 5 to 10 cm (Pixabay).
The research on this fungus began during the doctoral studies of researcher Valeria de Carvalho Santos-Ibinoma in Brazil, where, during her tours and sample collection, she found a fungus scattered among the trees on the campus of the Federal University of Amazonas. She added it to her research collection and then collaborated in studying it with Dr. Maria Francesca Simas Teixeira, who was the curator of the microbiology group at the university and one of the leading fungi experts in Brazil.
The first thing that caught the eye about this mushroom was its bright color, as they noticed that it produces strong natural pigments ranging from yellow and orange to red.
Researchers began studying the pigment produced by the fungus, and it took more than 10 years to reach the stage of producing the fungus in the laboratory with the same quality of natural color.
To achieve this, the researchers simulated the high-temperature conditions in the Amazonian city of Manaus, because the fungus needs these conditions to produce the red color naturally.
"This fungus is not just a source of color, but also produces antioxidant and antibacterial compounds, making it suitable for producing environmentally friendly and skin-safe cosmetics," Valeria said in a statement published on the website of the Foundation for Supporting Scientific Research in the Brazilian state of São Paulo.
The researchers tested the medical and biological efficacy of the fungus-derived dye, and the compounds that cause cell damage decreased by more than 75% upon contact with the skin, and more than 60% of skin cells remained alive, meaning that the dye is safe for the skin.
These results indicate that cosmetic products manufactured with this dye can be both safe and effective.
Valeria explains that "the discovery demonstrates the value of biodiversity in the Amazon, and suggests that there are other potential species that could produce similar beneficial pigments."
Various uses
While the research team initially focused on using the dye in cosmetics, Valeria points out that its applications may be much broader. She says it "could be used to dye fabrics and color foods like jelly."
But whatever the type of use, it is necessary to look for a way to increase the productivity of the dye. Currently, only 1 gram of the dye is produced in the laboratory, and this quantity is very small and sufficient for conducting scientific experiments or testing preparations, but it is not sufficient for commercial or industrial production.
Valeria adds: "Our future goal is to increase production to 10 grams or more, which is ten times the current production. This is a big challenge because producing natural pigments from mushrooms requires very precise conditions such as temperature, humidity, and the type of nutrient medium for the mushrooms."
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