MELANIN

Description

Melanin is a nitrogenous indolic polymer known as eumelanins, allomelanins, and pheomelanins (Banerjee et al.2011). Melanin provides photoprotection from Uv radiations by absorbing radiations from the electromagnetic spectrum, also effective against chemical stress and high temperature. Due to these properties, it is used in cosmetics, eyeglasses, and pharmaceutical products. Melanin pigment is biosynthesized by several microorganisms such as Magnoporthe grisea,Cryptococcus neoformans, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Vibrio cholera, Aspergillus fumigates, Alteromonas nigrifaciens,and Streptomyces sp.(Sanchez-Munoz et al.2020).

Uses

melanin is a water-soluble form of melanin is available that can be formulated into a product as a free-radical scavenger. Melanin can be naturally extracted from cuttlefish ink or synthetically produced. Research indicates that when employed as a sunscreen, melanin provides better uVA protection and requires lower usage concentrations than other available sunscreens. Its safety is supported through studies conducted with radioactive melanin, which showed no penetration through human skin.

Definition

ChEBI: Melanin is a member of melanins.