Microalgae pigments as a sustainable approach to textile dyeing: A critical review

Microalgae derived pigments, such as phycobiliproteins, chlorophylls, and carotenoids, offer eco-friendly al-ternatives to synthetic dyes. These pigments are known for their vibrant colors, as well as their antimicrobial, antioxidative, and UV protective properties, making them commonly used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Recently, they have also gained attention in the textile dyeing industry. Compared to other natural dye sources like plants, bacteria, and fungi, microalgae pigments possess significant potential as natural textile dyes. They exhibit high pigment productivity, more sustainable production systems, current industrial-scale production, and a lack of seasonal dependency. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state, limitations, and future prospects regarding the utilization of microalgae pigments as textile dyes. The report emphasizes the commercial availability of microalgae pigments, highlights current studies exploring their dyeing potential on various textile materials, and discusses the development techniques aimed at enhancing dyeing performance. This emerging and promising research field has the potential to revolutionize the pro-duction of eco-friendly and sustainable textile products, while also contributing to a reduction in the use of synthetic dyes in the textile industry.