Melanin-Related Biomolecules: Synthesis, Properties and Applications
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 376
Special Issue Editors
Interests: UV damage; biosynthesis of melanin pathway; internal and external melanin; melanoma; fossil melanin; pro-oxidant activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: structural characterization, extraction, and evaluation/modulation of the antioxidant properties of natural phenolic compounds; exploitation of phenolic compounds, especially from agri-food by-products for the development of functional materials to be used in cosmetics, food packaging, and biomedicine; reactivity of natural phenolic compounds with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and their manipulation/derivatization to improve their functional properties; evaluation of the antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds and of complex extracts/matrices using validated chemical assays; chemistry of melanin pigments
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Melanin is a natural pigment synthesized within living organisms such as animals, plants, and fungi. It mainly plays a role in determining skin color, hair, and eyes. There are two main forms of melanin: the black–brown pigment eumelanin (EM), and the reddish pigment pheomelanin (PM).
The biosynthetic precursor common to both kinds of melanin is tyrosine. Tyrosine is oxidized by the enzyme tyrosinase, producing an intermediate called dopaquinone (DQ). The latter is further oxidized to dopachrome, which is then gradually and spontaneously converted to dihydroxyindole compounds. EM is formed by the oxidative polymerization of these indole compounds. On the other hand, cysteinyldopa isomers (CDs) are produced by the rapid addition of cysteine to DQ. Oxidation of CDs by, for example, redox exchange with DQ, gives rise to the quinone forms of CDs. The cyclization and rearrangement of these quinones generate benzothiazine and benzothiazole intermediates that are then polymerized to PM.
Peculiar physical and chemical properties characterize melanin. Its main features are as follows:
- Light absorption and scattering: Melanin absorbs and scatters light over a wide range of wavelengths. This helps to protect cells from damage caused by UV rays.
- Antioxidant action: melanin, particularly EM, may act as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species produced by exposure to UV rays and environmental stress.
Based on its properties, melanin has found a wide range of applications in a variety of fields including UV protection, photoaging, skin aging, cosmetology, display technology, and the food industry.
Building upon all of the above considerations, this Special Issue welcomes original research manuscripts on the synthesis, properties, and applications of melanin-related biomolecules. Reviews describing the current state of the art are also welcome.
Prof. Dr. Kazumasa Wakamatsu
Prof. Dr. Lucia Panzella
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- melanin
- skin aging
- hair color
- photoaging
- antioxidant action
- UV protection
- cosmetology
- display technology
- food industry
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