Microbial PHB Bioplastics With In-Situ Pigment Entrapment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plastics are non-biodegradable and require synthetic dyes for coloring, leading to environmental pollution, while bioplastics lack efficient methods for natural coloration.

Innovation Solution

Engineer microorganisms to co-express PHB biosynthetic genes with pigment-producing genes, enabling the entrapment of insoluble or poorly soluble pigments within the PHB structure, producing naturally colored bioplastics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If synthetic dyes are used to color bioplastics, then various colors can be achieved, but environmental pollution is caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloration capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of color source from external synthetic dyes to internally produced natural pigments through genetic engineering. By introducing pigment biosynthesis genes (carotenoid pathway genes crtB, crtI, crtY, and anthocyanin pathway genes) into the bioplastic-producing organism, the system transforms its metabolic parameters to simultaneously produce both bioplastic and colored pigments, eliminating the need for harmful synthetic dyes while maintaining coloration capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite biological system where multiple metabolic pathways are integrated within a single organism. The bioplastic production pathway is combined with pigment synthesis pathways (carotenoid and anthocyanin), resulting in a composite material that inherently contains both the bioplastic matrix and colored pigment molecules, thereby producing colored bioplastics without external dyeing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If natural pigments are used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but water solubility is poor making entrapment difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidpigment entrapment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the bioplastic-producing organism to self-produce the pigments it needs through genetic engineering. The organism's own metabolic machinery synthesizes natural pigments (carotenoids and anthocyanins) that are then naturally incorporated into the bioplastic matrix during biosynthesis. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external pigment addition and complex entrapment processes, as the pigments are generated in-situ and automatically integrated into the bioplastic structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the pigment synthesis pathway with the bioplastic production pathway within the same biological system. By combining the metabolic routes for natural pigment production (carotenoid and anthocyanin pathways) with the bioplastic biosynthesis route, the system creates an integrated process where pigments and bioplastic are co-produced and naturally combined, simplifying the overall process while maintaining environmental friendliness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Produces colored bioplastics in an environmentally friendly manner, eliminating the need for chemical dyeing and enhancing biodegradability.

Implementation Method 1

engineer microorganisms to synthesize water-sparingly soluble or water-insoluble pigments within the same cellular environment as PHB, transforming these pigments into captives of the polymeric PHB structure during their joint biosynthetic journey

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiosynthesis:

Implementation Method 2

pigments exhibiting either poor water solubility or insolubility undergo rapid precipitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 3

they are entrapped within the polymeric structure of PHB, effectively producing colored bioplastic material within the cellular matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEntrapment:

Data Source

PatentUS20260071242A1Method to produce colored bioplastics using microbes

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 ZHAN ANGELA

AI summary

The present invention introduces an innovative approach for the manipulation of microorganisms to generate colored bioplastics. This is achieved by concurrently expressing genes responsible for pigment production and genes involved in bioplastic synthesis within a microbial host. These genes can be synthesized, obtained from a different host through cloning, or naturally occurring within the host organism. The resultant color compounds become encapsulated within the extended bioplastic polymers within the cells, resulting in the formation of naturally pigmented bioplastics.