Introduction: Melanin production by species of Cryptococcus is widely used to characterize C. neoformans complex in mycology laboratories. This study aims to test the efficacy of methyldopa from pharmaceutical tablet as a substrate for melanin production, to compare the production of melanin using different agar base added with methyldopa, and to compare the melanin produced in those media with that produced in Niger seed agar and sunflower seed agar by C. neoformans, C. laurentii, and C. albidus. Two isolates of each species, C. neoformans, C. laurentii, and C. albidus, and one of Candida albicans were used to experimentally detect conditions for melanin production.
Methods: The following media were tested: Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA), brain and heart infusion agar (BHIA), blood agar base (BAB), and minimal medium agar (MMA), all added with methyldopa, and the media Niger seed agar (NSA) and sunflower seed agar (SSA).
Results: All isolates grew in most of the culture media after 24h. Strains planted on media BAB and BHIA showed growth only after 48h. All isolates produced melanin in MMA, MHA, SSA, and NSA media.
Conclusions: Methyldopa in the form pharmaceutical tablet can be used as a substrate for melanin production by Cryptococcus species; minimal medium plus methyldopa was more efficient than the BAB, MHA, and BHIA in the melanin production; and NSA and SSA, followed by MMA added with methyldopa, were more efficient than other media studied for melanin production by all strains studied.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0037-86822011000500012 | DOI Listing |
J Cosmet Dermatol
December 2024
La Roche Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, Levallois-Perret, France.
Background: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP) predominantly affects patients with melanin-rich skin, significantly impacting them psychosocially due to more frequent and severe pigmentary changes. In this study, the efficacy of a novel depigmenting agent 2-mercaptonicotinoyl glycine (Melasyl) in a dermocosmetic (DC) serum formulation is assessed as a stand-alone treatment of PIHP without sunscreen.
Materials And Methods: Thirty-two Mauritian subjects aged 18-50 years of phototype IV-VI presenting mild acne (GEA2) and moderate to severe PIHP (PAHPI > 10) participated in this study.
Food Chem
December 2024
Sensors and Biosensors Group, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry Lab (LR99ES15), University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia. Electronic address:
Improper use and harmful effects of nitrite ions pose a significant risk to human health. To address this concern, the use of carbon-based materials for electrochemical sensing is regarded as one of the most promising detection tools for ensuring the quality of drinking water and food products. In this context, we developed laser-ablated graphene electrodes (LAGEs) by direct laser scribing on a polyimide substrate, which were subsequently modified by electrochemical deposition of a redox-active melanin-like film (MeLF/LAGEs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
December 2024
School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Guangdong Geriatric, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Thermosensitive hydrogels show great potential in healing diabetic wounds, but they are still challenged by the long healing time, risk of infectivity, and accumulation of melanin. Herein, a dual network hydrogel is designed, which consists of chlorogenic acid (CA) modified chitosan (CS) (CA@CS), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm), and glabridin liposomes (GL). The gelation transition temperature of the hydrogel is 32-34 °C, which thus endows it with superior injectability at ambient temperature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrob Cell Fact
December 2024
Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China.
Fungi can synthesize a diverse range of melanins with appropriate physicochemical and biological characteristics for numerous applications in health, environmental protection, energy, and industry. Gaining deeper insights into the chemical structures, biosynthetic pathways, and regulatory mechanisms of fungal melanin would establish a basis for metabolic engineering approaches, aimed at enhancing production efficiency and creating custom-designed melanin with desirable material properties. Due to growing interest in their beneficial effects and applications, research on the structure, biosynthesis, and regulation of fungal melanin has significantly advanced.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomol Biomed
December 2024
Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a significant global health concern that leads to increased morbidity and mortality, and is associated with skin pigmentation changes. Excessive facial pigmentation is a common characteristic of patients with CLD, although the exact mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unclear. Melanin, which consists of eumelanin and pheomelanin, is synthesized in melanocytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!