Characterization of melanin from the fungus <i>Scolecobasidium Musae</i> and its antioxidant and photoprotective properties

Melanin is a dark colored pigment produced by various living organisms. In this study, the melanin-producing fungus was isolated from a washing machine and identified as Scolecobasidium musae by 18 S rDNA analysis. Melanin production by S. musae was reported for the first time. Melanin was obtained from the dark-colored biomass produced by S. musae in submerged culture. The pigment was then purified, characterized, and identified. It was determined that purified melanin was dissolved easily in alkaline solutions but insoluble in organic solvents. Devices such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, NMR, EPR, and elemental analysis were used to determine the chemical content and structure of the produced melanin. The melanin synthesis pathway was investigated using melanin inhibitors and by performing LC-MS analysis of the fermentation medium in which S. musae grew. It was found that the newly produced melanin from S. musae possesses antioxidant and photoprotective properties (sun protection and UV protection for Staphylococcus aureus). These results provide new possibilities for the biotechnological applications of this naturally producing melanin pigment.

Dergi

ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY

Yıl

2025

Cilt

207

Sayı

4

ISSN

0302-8933

eISSN

1432-072X

DOI

10.1007/s00203-025-04279-2

WoS UID

WOS:001439258600004