Light From Life: Bioluminescence
- Amogh Reddy Badikol
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
It is ironic that the lightbulb, the universal symbol for a bright idea, isn't actually very bright. In fact, 90% of the energy input is emitted as heat (infrared) while only a small fraction is emitted as light. However, where humanity failed, nature succeeded. Bioluminescence or cold light emits nearly 100% of its energy as light while only a negligible amount is released as heat.
Many organisms use this to their advantage, one such example being fireflies that exhibit yellow flashes of bioluminescence as a method of communication and mating. Apart from this, marine organisms like the anglerfish, squid and even algae exhibit bioluminescence to deter predators, attract prey and find mates.
Bioluminescence occurs through an enzyme catalyzed chemical reaction. The enzyme luciferase allows the luciferin to react with oxygen (oxidation) to become an excited state molecule called oxyluciferin. When the oxyluciferin de-excites it emits visible light.
Hence, BIOLUMINESCENCE!
Notably, marine organisms like algae, squid and the anglerfish use bioluminescence to their advantage to deter predators and attract mates or prey. The best part? It’s completely environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
Expanding on this, various companies have already began using this property. An example being the biotechnology company Nyoka Labs, whose aim is to create an eco friendly alternative for the conventional glow-stick. Nyoka Labs CEO Paige Whitehead states current glow-sticks are made of toxic chemicals that cause cell death. Moreover, the plastics from which these glow-sticks are made use the strongest petrochemical-derived plastics that take hundreds of years to degrade. Bioluminescent glow-sticks however are made using just luciferase and luciferin, you could even drink the mixture if you wanted to. Moreover, bioluminescent glow-sticks are reusable and hence prevent excess wastage of glow-sticks. The company also takes pride in selling these glow sticks with sustainable packing, making it fully biodegradable.
Overall, companies all over the world like Glowee and Light Bio are using bioluminescence to create sustainable alternatives to everyday products. As biotechnology improves the cost-effectiveness of these products only gets better. It is without doubt that very soon we will be able to live in a world where light is powered by life.
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