COMPOSITION COMPRISING CULTIVATED MICROALGAE FOR USE IN COLORING PROCESSES

Abstract

The invention is directed to composition for use in the process of coloring surfaces, such as fabrics, comprising cultivated microalgae, processes for its preparation and use thereof.

Claims

1. A composition comprising at least one cultivated microalgae and at least one mordant.

2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cultivated microalgae is selected from red algae, brown algae, green algae, red algae, blue algae and any combinations thereof.

3. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cultivated microalgae is a red microalgae.

4. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said cultivated microalgae is selected from the genus Porphyridium, Rhodella, Hematococus (pluvialis), Dunaliella (bradawil) and any mixture thereof.

5. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said cultivated microalgae comprises at least 0.5% of said cultivated microalgae.

6. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said at least one mordant is selected from Tannic acid, Tartaric acid, Iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate, Aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate, FeSO.sub.4 and any combinations thereof.

7. (canceled)

8. A composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the additive list consisting of: at least one enzyme, at least one dye binder, at least one thickening agent and any combinations thereof.

9. (canceled)

10. A method of coloring a surface comprising applying a composition comprising at least one cultivated microalgae and at least one mordant on said surface.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said surface is paper, fiber, yarn, fabric, cloth, garment, silk, wool, cotton, leather, polymeric material and any combination thereof.

12. A method of coloring at least one of a fiber and a fabric comprising applying a composition comprising at least one cultivated microalgae and at least one mordant on said at least one of a fiber and a fabric.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said fiber is selected from a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber or any combination thereof.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said fabric is a woven or nonwoven fabric.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein said coloring is dyeing.

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein said coloring is printing.

17. (canceled)

18. A composition according to claim 1, comprised in a fiber.

19. A composition according to claim 1, comprised in a fabric.

20.-22. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows the results of the coloring process using a composition of the invention as described in the example herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The invention provides a coloring and/or dyeing composition comprising at least one cultivated microalgae and at least one mordant.

[0020] The term composition as used in the context of the present invention should be understood to encompass any composition that is suitable for coloring and/or dyeing, i.e. transferring a color onto a surface, such as for example a fiber, a fabric and so forth.

[0021] The term microalgae should be understood to encompass are unicellular photosynthesis forming species which exist individually, or in chains or groups, having a size that can range from a few micrometers (m) to a few hundreds of micrometers. Microalgae do not have roots, stems, or leaves. Microalgae biomass is typically measured with chlorophyll concentrations.

[0022] In some embodiments, said cultivated microalgae is selected from red algae, brown algae, green algae, red algae, blue algae and mixtures thereof. In other embodiments, said cultivated microalgae is a red microalgae. In yet further embodiments, said cultivated red microalgae is selected from the genus Porphyridium, Rhodella, Hematococus (pluvialis), Dunaliella (bradawil) and any mixture thereof.

[0023] The natural types of microalgae are usually found in freshwater and marine systems living in both the water column and sediment, however, the microalgae used in the present invention are cultivated microalgae thus, they are grown and cultured outside their natural marine environment, in regulated and controlled environments. In some embodiments, said cultivated microalgae are from a source that is other than a marine source. In further embodiments, said cultivated microalgae are none naturally grown microalgae. In further embodiments, said cultivated microalgae are none marine grown microalgae. In some other embodiments, said cultivated microalgae is grown/cultivated outside a marine environment (the cultivated microalgae used in the present invention are not harvested from a marine or natural water source). For example, in some embodiments, said cultivated microalgae is grown/cultivated in a microorganism growth apparatus. An example of a microorganism growth apparatus, including a process for growing said microalgae in the apparatus can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,417, which is herein incorporated in its entirety.

[0024] In some embodiments, a composition of the invention comprises at least 0.5% by weight of said at least one cultivated microalgae. In other embodiments, a composition of the invention comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20% by weight of said at least one cultivated microalgae. In further embodiments, a composition of the invention comprises between about 5% to about 40% by weight of said at least one cultivated microalgae. In further embodiments, a composition of the invention comprises between about 1% to about 20% by weight of said at least one cultivated microalgae. In further embodiments, a composition of the invention comprises between about 5% to about 25% by weight of said at least one cultivated microalgae.

[0025] The term mordant as used herein should be understood to encompass any type of dye fixative, a substance used to set (i.e. bind) the coloring composition of the invention on a fiber and/or a fabric.

[0026] In some embodiments, said at least one mordant is from a natural source. In some embodiments, said at least one mordant is selected from Oak galls, Pomegranate rind Juniper needles and any combinations thereof. In other embodiments, said at least one mordant is from a synthetic source. selected from Tannic acid, Tartaric acid, Iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate, Aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate, FeSO.sub.4 and any combinations thereof. In other embodiments, said at least one mordant is tannic acid.

[0027] In some embodiments, a composition of the invention further comprises at least one of the additive list consisting of: at least one enzyme (such as for example cellulose degrading enzyme), at least one dye binder (an agent that allows for the color composition to bind to the fiber of the fabric, such as AVCO BINDER D), at least one thickening agent (an agent that prevents the color composition from spreading by capillary attraction on the fabric or fibers) and any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, said at least one enzyme is a cellulose degradation enzyme.

[0028] Typical thickening agents are starch derivatives, flour, gum arabic, guar gumderivatives, tamarind, sodium alginate, sodium polyacrylate, gum Senegal and gum tragacanth, British gum or dextrine and albumen. Other thickeners include, alginate-based thickeners (such as AVCO-PRINT ESO) and cellulose based thickeners (such as THICKENER CM-7).

[0029] The present invention provides a composition comprising cultivated microalgae, for use in a process of coloring a surface. When referring to a process of coloring a surface, it should be understood to encompass any type of coloring process including, dyeing and printing any type of color or pattern on a surface, thus endowing said surface with a color or a pattern with color.

[0030] In some embodiments, said process of coloring is dyeing (i.e. a process wherein the fabric, part of it or in its entirety, is immersed in the coloring composition of the invention and thus being endowed with a uniform color). In other embodiments, said process of coloring is printing (i.e. a process of applying color to fabric in definite patterns or designs. In printing, wooden blocks, stencils, engraved plates, rollers, or silkscreens or printers can be used to place the composition on the fabric).

[0031] In some embodiments said surface is a paper, a fiber, a yarn, a fabric, a cloth, a garment, wool, silk, cotton, leather, polymeric material and any combination thereof.

[0032] In a further aspect the invention provides a composition comprising cultivated microalgae, for use in a process of coloring a fiber.

[0033] The term fiber should be understood to encompass a thread that can be used to make a yarn, fabric, knitted, woven, nonwoven fabric, cloth, paper, having a length longer than it is width.

[0034] In some embodiments, said fiber is a natural fiber. Such fibers include cellulose based fibers, protein-based fibers, mineral based fibers. Such natural fibers include but are not limited to: Seed fiber (fibers collected from seeds or seed cases. e.g. cotton and kapok, Leaf fiber (fibers collected from leaves. e.g., sansevieria, fique, sisal, banana and agave), Bast fiber (fibers are collected from the skin or bast surrounding the stem of their respective plant. These fibers have higher tensile strength than other fibers. Therefore, these fibers are used for durable yarn, fabric, packaging, and paper. Some examples are flax, jute, kenaf, industrial hemp, ramie, rattan, and vine fibers), Skin fiber, Fruit fiber (fibers are collected from the fruit of the plant, e.g. coconut (coir) fiber), Stalk fiber (fibers that are actually the stalks of the plant. e.g. straws of wheat, rice, barley, and other crops including bamboo and grass, tree wood), Animal fibers (generally comprise proteins such as collagen, keratin and fibroin; examples include silk, sinew, wool, catgut, angora, mohair and alpaca, animal hair (wool or hairs): fiber or wool taken from animals or hairy mammals e g sheep's wool, goat hair (cashmere, mohair), alpaca hair, horse hair, etc. silk fiber: fiber secreted by glands (often located near the mouth) of insects during the preparation of cocoons, avian fiber: fibers from birds, e.g. feathers and feather fiber).

[0035] In other embodiments, said fiber is a manufactured fiber. Such fibers include, but are not limited to natural sugar based manufactured fibersPLA, chitosan, protein basedrubber, azlon, cellulose basedrayon, lyocell, acetate, triacetate, synthetic polymers such asacrylic, anidex, aramid, elastoester, fluoropolymer, lastrile, melamine, modacrylic, novoloid, nylon, nytril, olefin, PBI, polyester, rubber (synthetic), saran, spandex, sulfar, vinal, vinyon.

[0036] In other embodiments said fiber is a synthetic or artificial fiber (such as for example Nylon, Olefin, Acrylic, Polyester, Rayon, artificial silk, Vinyon, Saran, Spandex, Vinalon, Aramids, Nomex, Kevlar, Twaron, Modal, Dyneema/Spectra, PBI (Polybenzimidazole fiber), Sulfar, Lyocell, PLA, M-5 (PIPD fiber), Orlon, Zylon (PBO fiber), Vectran (TLCP fiber) made from Vectra LCP polymer, Derclon, Acrylonitrile rubber, Glass fiber, metallic fiber, expanded polystyrene flakes, urea-formaldehyde foam resin, polyurethane foam, phenolic resin foam and any combinations thereof.

[0037] The invention further provides a composition comprising at least one cultivated microalgae, for use in a process for coloring a fabric. In some embodiments, said fabric is selected from a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a knitted fabric or any combinations thereof.

[0038] In some other embodiments, a composition of the invention further comprises at least one further agent selected from an anti-irritating agent, an anti-microbial agent, vitamins, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants, an anti-sceptic agent, a softening agent.

[0039] In some embodiments, said fabric is used in the preparation of a garment. In other embodiments, said fabric is used in the preparation of a medical fabric (such as for example a bandage, a wound dressing, a casting form, a pressure wound dressing, an hygienic napkin, a sanitary napkin, burn dressing and so forth). In some embodiments, said fabric is used in the preparation of a wearable medical device.

[0040] The invention further provides a process for the preparation of a composition according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: mixing at least one cultivated microalgae with at least one at least one mordant (fixating agent), and optionally at least one of at least one enzyme, at least one wetting agent, at least one binding agent, a thickening agent and any combinations thereof.

[0041] In a further aspect the invention provides a fiber comprising a composition of the invention. In a further aspect the invention provides a fabric comprising a composition of the invention.

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

[0042] Cultivated Microalgae: Red microalgae of the type Porphyridium sp. The microalgae were cultivated under controlled conditions as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,417 and provided as biomass (either in a liquid form, a frozen biomass form or a powder).

[0043] Preparing the Dyeing Composition for Cellulose Based Fabrics

[0044] 400 ml of cultivated microalgae biomass was mixed with 200 ml of distilled water. 12 g of tannic acid (mordant) was added to the mixture.

[0045] Preparing the Cellulose Based Fabric for Dyeing

[0046] Cationization solution: a mixture of 200 ml water, 1.2 g AVCOPRET Ultra Cat.

[0047] Cationization process: The solution was added with a fabric sample (20 g of cellulose based fabrics such as modal, bamboo or cotton) to a container which was heated in an oven for 20 minutes at 50 C. After additional 50 minutes the fabrics were taken out of the container.

[0048] Dyeing Process for Cellulose Based Fabrics

[0049] The process was performed in container of 1 liter. 600 ml of the dyeing composition was added to the container together with 20 g of fabric that has been prepared by the cationization process.

[0050] The container was introduced into an oven for 30 minutes at 80 C. After 30 minutes the oven was stopped. The container was opened, and small piece of the fabric were taken. The color of sample was pink. Then the container was entered into the over again for another 20 minutes at 98 C. The oven was stopped, and another sample of the fabric was taken, having beige/brown color. After taking the fabric out of the container it was dried.

[0051] Preparing the Dyeing Composition for Synthetic Fabrics

[0052] Fabrics: NylonSemi-Dull

[0053] Materials: EnzymeAvcoZim and 3548, MordantTannic acid, BiomassRed micro algae, BiomassBlue/Green micro algae. Microalgae were cultivated under controlled conditions as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,417.

[0054] Eight types of compositions were prepared:

[0055] Composition 1: Red Biomass (50 ml), Enzyme (50 ml), water (100 ml)

[0056] Composition 3: Red Biomass (50 ml), No Enzyme, water (100 ml)

[0057] Composition 5: Blue/Green Biomass (50 ml), Enzyme (50 ml), Water (100 ml)

[0058] Composition 7: Blue/Green Biomass (50 ml), No Enzyme, Water (100 ml)

[0059] Composition 2: Red Biomass (50 ml), Enzyme (50 ml), Mordant (50 ml), water (100 ml)

[0060] Composition 4: Red Biomass (50 ml), No Enzyme, Mordant (50 ml), Water (100 ml)

[0061] Composition 6: Blue/Green Biomass (50 ml), Enzyme (50 ml), Mordant (50 ml), Water (100 ml).

[0062] Composition 8: Blue/Green Biomass (50 ml), No Enzyme, Mordant (50 ml), Water (100 ml).

[0063] Each composition was added to a container with fabric sample and entered into an oven for 120 minutes in 98 C. At the end of the oven treatment the fabric samples were taken out of the container and rinsed twice (10 minutes with warm water at 40 C and another 10 minutes with tap cold water). The fabrics were then spinned and washed in a washing machine. FIG. 1 shows the coloring results. Table 1 below describes the results.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Results of coloring compositions 1-8 above Sample number Pigment and other materials Color recieved (1) Red with enzyme Beige (3) Red with no enzyme Light Beige (2) Red with enzyme and with mordant Green-Brown (4) Red with no enzyme with mordant Green-Blue (5) Green/Blue with enzyme Lemon green (7) Green/Blue with no enzyme Lemon green (6) Green/Blue with enzyme and with mordant Green-Brown (8) Green/Blue with no enzyme with mordant Dark Green- Brown

[0064] As can be understood from the table above, the compositions wherein mordant was added provided a fabric that was colored with stable color that did not wash off.

[0065] Preparing the Coloring Composition for Printing on Fabrics

[0066] MaterialsBiomass of red micro algae (frozen) (cultivated under controlled conditions as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,417), Enzyme: AvcoZim and 3548, Water: distillated water, Binder: Avcobinder D, Fixator: UP. FabricsModal after washing in washing machine, CottonP.G. 76/68 677327

[0067] 30 g of frozen biomass was melted, and mixed with 125 ml water, 15 ml enzyme. The mixture was stirred for 5 hours at 40 C. To the mixture 48 ml binder and 3 ml fixator were added.

[0068] The composition was applied to the fabric by hand printing and drying the printed fabrics with warm air. Each printed fabric was baked in an oven heated to 120 C for 2 minutes.