Water-soluble, heat-resistant biomelanin produced by bacterial fermentation
A nature-identical eumelanin pigment produced through bacterial fermentation, offering high water solubility (up to 300 mg/ml), heat resistance at 121°C, and shelf stability over a year. This vegan, cruelty-free black/dark brown powder functions as a colorant, antioxidant, and iron chelator for food, personal care, and materials applications.
Overview
Oxyco has developed a bacterial fermentation-based process for producing eumelanin, a natural black/dark brown pigment that is structurally identical to melanin found in nature. The resulting powder offers high water solubility, heat resistance, and long-term stability, providing a sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free alternative to conventional melanin sources such as sepia ink or bird feathers, which are often costly and difficult to scale.
The material combines pigment functionality with complementary bioactive properties, acting as a natural antioxidant and iron chelator. This dual functionality makes it attractive for industries seeking ethically produced, high-performance color additives with additional benefits. Potential applications span food and beverage, personal care, and nanotechnology sectors, including use as a color additive, antioxidant, and UV-blocking material.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- High water solubility: up to 300 mg/ml in water
- Heat resistance: withstands 121°C, validated during downstream processing
- Shelf stability: over one year in both powder and solution forms, with no precipitation or separation
- pH stability: stable across a wide pH range
- Natural antioxidant and iron chelator activity
- Vegan and nature-identical structure to natural melanin
Production process:
- Bacterial fermentation-based eumelanin production
- Simple downstream processing including a high-temperature step
- Scalable: demonstrated at hundreds-of-litres fermentation scale with material recovery in the kilograms range
- Ongoing engineering work is reducing production cost per kg
Technology readiness level
The technology is at TRL 6, validated at hundreds-of-litres fermentation scale with material recovered in kilogram quantities. Initial samples are available for assessment and evaluation, and additional performance data can be shared under non-disclosure agreement. Scale-up and supply arrangements can be established following positive evaluation.
About Oxyco
Oxyco is a Barcelona-based biotechnology company that produces vegan, nature-identical biomelanin through a specialized biocatalysis process. By utilizing proprietary enzymes, the company creates a sustainable, soluble, and stable alternative to traditional melanin sources like sepia ink or bird feathers, which are often costly and difficult to scale. Their production method allows for customizable properties, positioning the ingredient for diverse applications across the personal care, food and beverage, and nanotechnology sectors.
This technology addresses significant market demand for ethically produced, cruelty-free, and high-performance color additives, antioxidants, and UV-blocking materials. Founded in 2022 as a joint venture between experts from Zymvol Biomodeling and Gecco Biotech, the company offers a way for industries to integrate functional bio-pigments into their products. Their biomelanin has been confirmed to share an identical structure with natural melanin, offering a stable and scalable solution for applications ranging from sea-friendly sunscreens to sustainable semi-conductors.
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