Melanin of Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.: Fr.) Murr sterile form

Abstract

Melanin complex was isolated from mycelium of the basidiomycete Laetiporus sulphumreus (Bull.: Fr.) Murr (with a yield of 2.49% of the fresh weight). UV and IR spectroscopies, gel chromatography, and alkaline cleavage assay demonstrated that the isolated melanin was heterogeneous and belonged to the dihydronaphthalene type. 13C-NMR data suggested that aromatic fragments were dominant in the melanin structure. In vitro study of the antioxidant action demonstrated that the L. sulphureus melanin displayed a radical-scavenging activity and the ability to inactivate hydrogen peroxide and nitrogen(II) oxide molecules and to chelate iron(II) ions.