Abstract:

EU directives define in detail guidelines which modern industrial technologies should meet in order to eliminate or minimise their share in contaminating the natural environment. Reducing energy and water consumption, and restricting the use of hazardous substances in the environment are the basic criteria that should characterise new technologies. Due to restrictions in the use of azo dyes, especially of those which can be reduced to amino products (Directive 2002/61/EC), the dyestuff industry is constantly looking for new colouring substances. Particular emphasis is placed on the implementation of new technologies of synthesis which have a minimal impact on the environment and at the same time decrease manufacturing costs by reducing the consumption of raw materials and energy and reduce waste. Industrial processes belonging to white biotechnology successfully exploit the potential of natural biological systems in industrial processes, making industrial activity more environmentally friendly. Bio-dyes obtained in this way are durable, environmentlly friendly, and have interesting and fast colours. The process of bio-dye synthesis occurs during processes applying enzymes or fungi with precursors that are used to synthesise chemical dyes. This paper presents newly synthesised bio-dyes. In their synthesis enzymes or fungi were used. During the research work, the dyeing properties of the bio-dyes were tested as well as the colour fastness of textiles made of protein and synthetic fibres. The resulting colours obtained after bio-dye application are more uniform than in the case of chemical dyes and have good colour fastness.