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Fungal Pigments & Natural Colorants

Explore fungal pigments such as carotenoids, azaphilones and melanins as colorants for food, textiles and materials, and their safety hurdles.

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Level

Course

Modules

Duration

3 months · 72 h

Next start

January 11, 2027

Fee

$450

Format

Live online

Certificate

Course Certificate

Language

English US

School

Biotechnology

Program identification

1.1Program name: Fungal Pigments & Natural Colorants
1.2Type of qualification: Course
1.3Provider / endorsing institution: Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Biotechnology & Biomaterials. A Fungaris program of its own, not endorsed by a university.
1.4Mode of study: Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits): 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own program, not an official university degree).
1.6Language: English
1.7Start and end dates / intake: Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →

fungal pigmentsnatural colorants fermentationMonascus pigmentsfungal melaninbiotech dyes textiles

Overview

2.1Program description

This course explores pigments produced by fungi and their potential as natural colorants. You study the chemistry of the main pigment classes, including carotenoids, azaphilones such as Monascus pigments, anthraquinones and melanins, and learn which organisms produce them. Further modules cover fermentation and extraction methods, applications in food, textiles and materials, and the safety questions that determine whether a pigment can reach the market, notably the risk of co-produced mycotoxins.

Demand for natural colors is growing as food and textile companies try to replace synthetic dyes, and fungi can produce stable pigments without depending on agricultural land or harvest seasons. However, safety and regulatory hurdles are significant and have stopped several candidates. The course suits food and textile technologists and color chemists who want a realistic view of this field. Sessions are live and taught by a instructor selected for professional experience in natural colors and fermentation. For the final project, students prepare a development dossier outline for one fungal pigment in a defined application.

2.2Why it matters / what need it meets

It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in biotechnology, useful in areas such as food and beverage, textiles, cosmetics, natural ingredients.

Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.

Objectives and competences

3.1General objective

To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:

Explore fungal pigments such as carotenoids, azaphilones and melanins as colorants for food, textiles and materials, and their safety hurdles.

3.2Specific objectives

Build the foundations: Chemistry of Fungal Pigments; Monascus, Carotenoid Producers and Azaphilones.
Put them into practice: Fungal Melanins and Their Properties; Fermentation and Extraction of Pigments.
Apply everything to a real case: Applications in Food, Textiles and Materials; Safety, Mycotoxin Risks and Approval.
Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.

3.3Competences you will gain

Identify the main classes of fungal pigments and their properties.
Compare fermentation and extraction routes for pigment production.
Assess pigment stability for food or textile applications.
Recognize mycotoxin risks associated with pigment-producing fungi.
Outline regulatory requirements for a new natural colorant.

Student profile

4.1Who it is for (entry profile)

Food and textile technologists and color chemists.

4.2Entry requirements

Basic chemistry knowledge is recommended. No laboratory equipment is required.

4.3Career paths (exit profile)

Color technologist at a natural colors supplier
Product developer in food or beverage coloring
Textile dyeing specialist working with bio-based dyes
Research assistant in fungal natural products
Regulatory assistant for food additives

Sectors

food and beveragetextilescosmeticsnatural ingredients

Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.

Study plan

5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)

Module	Title	Phase	Topics	Hours
01	Chemistry of Fungal Pigments	Foundations	3	12
02	Monascus, Carotenoid Producers and Azaphilones	Foundations	3	12
03	Fungal Melanins and Their Properties	Practice	3	12
04	Fermentation and Extraction of Pigments	Practice	3	12
05	Applications in Food, Textiles and Materials	Application & project	3	12
06	Safety, Mycotoxin Risks and Approval	Application & project	3	12
	Total			72

6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.

5.2Content by module

Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.

5.3Company placement

This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.

5.4Final project

A development dossier outline for one fungal pigment in a defined food, textile or material application.

Methodology

6.1How it is taught

Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
Exercises and real case studies in every module.
Tutoring: your instructor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.

6.2Platform and resources

A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.

Technical requirements →

6.3Estimated weekly workload

About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.

Assessment

7.1Assessment system and weighting

Assessment combines participation in live sessions, module exercises and a final project reviewed by the instructor.

40%Participation and module exercises

60%Final project

7.2Requirements to pass

Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
Hand in the module exercises.
Have your final project approved by your instructor.

Teaching team

8.1Academic direction

At Fungaris, the Biotechnology school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.

8.2Faculty

Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.

Meet our faculty →

Certificate

9.1Certificate awarded

Course Certificate

On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.

9.2Issuing body / recognition

Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.

About our certificates →

Admission and enrollment

10.1Admission process (steps)

Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.

10.2Documents required

A valid identity document.
Contact and billing details (personal or company).

10.3Deadlines

Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).

10.4Fee and payment options

Fee: $450

Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.

Fees and financing →

10.5Grants, discounts and funding

Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.

Your employer can pay for the program and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.

10.6Cancellation policy

The conditions for canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.

Cancellation and refunds →

Additional information

11.1Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience to study Fungal Pigments & Natural Colorants?

Basic chemistry knowledge is recommended. No laboratory equipment is required.

How is Fungal Pigments & Natural Colorants taught?

Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.

How am I assessed?

Assessment combines participation in live sessions, module exercises and a final project reviewed by the instructor.

What is the final project?

A development dossier outline for one fungal pigment in a defined food, textile or material application.

What certificate do I get?

What can I study after Fungal Pigments & Natural Colorants?

The natural next step is Diploma in Mycelium Biomaterials.

11.2Alumni testimonials

We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.