High-level production of natural pigments using engineered microorganisms
A biotechnology platform uses engineered microorganisms (E. coli) to produce natural pigments as safer alternatives to synthetic colorants for food and beverage formulations. The approach targets reduced toxicity, environmental sustainability, and scalable bioprocess design, including optimized culture media, bioreactor strategy evaluation, and recovery/purification development. The work includes laboratory validation of multiple colored protein outputs and ongoing characterization of pigment structure and stability.
Overview
This technology leverages engineered microorganisms to produce natural pigments as sustainable alternatives to synthetic colorants used in food and beverage formulations. The approach addresses consumer and regulatory demand for safer, non-toxic coloring ingredients by expressing pigment-producing genes in host organisms such as Escherichia coli. Natural pigments derived through this bioprocess offer advantages over synthetic counterparts, including lower toxicity, safety for human consumption, minimal impact on taste, and reduced environmental footprint during production. The platform is designed for high-yield, commercially viable manufacturing and represents a first step toward producing any desired natural pigment through microbial fermentation.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Genetic engineering of microorganisms to express genes responsible for pigment biosynthesis
- Production of multiple colored proteins including green, red, and yellow fluorescent proteins, blue chromoprotein, and blue petunia
- Design of efficient, low-cost culture media optimized specifically for pigment production
- Evaluation of different production strategies in bioreactor configurations
- Development of recovery and purification processes for target pigments
- Theoretical analysis and proposal for bioprocess scale-up
Target outcome:
- Engineered E. coli strains capable of producing a natural alternative to Blue #1 pigment meeting industry standards
- Scalable bioprocess suitable for commercial production of food-grade natural pigments
Technology readiness level
The technology has been validated at the laboratory scale, with successful production of multiple colored proteins visible to the naked eye. Current work focuses on identifying the chemical structure of these pigments and testing their stability under various environmental and physicochemical conditions. The project is structured in four stages over three years: (1) obtaining engineered strains producing a natural Blue #1 alternative, (2) formulating optimized culture media and bioreactor strategies, (3) designing recovery and purification processes, and (4) developing scale-up proposals. This initiative constitutes a foundational approach to producing a broad range of natural pigments through microbial systems.
About Tecnológico de Monterrey
Tecnológico de Monterrey is a leading private, multi-campus research university in Mexico, recognized for entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. Its Monterrey headquarters anchors an urban innovation district with open lab space, prototyping, and shared testing facilities that welcome corporate collaborators. An integrated health system supports clinical research and translation, while structured internships and challenge-driven partnerships connect companies with faculty and student talent year-round. Research is supported by competitive federal funding through Mexico’s national science and technology council, along with industry contracts and international sponsors. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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