Melanins as Sustainable Resources for Advanced Biotechnological Applications.

Hanaa A Galeb,Adam M Taylor,Richard L Mort,John G Hardy,Emma L Wilkinson,Hungyen Lin,Pierre L Martin‐Hirsch,Samuel T Murphy,Alison F Stowell

doi:10.1002/gch2.202000102

Abstract

Melanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature and have diverse origins, chemical compositions, and functions. Their chemical, electrical, optical, and paramagnetic properties offer opportunities for applications in materials science, particularly for medical and technical uses. This review focuses on the application of analytical techniques to study melanins in multidisciplinary contexts with a view to their use as sustainable resources for advanced biotechnological applications, and how these may facilitate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Highlights

This review focuses on the application of analytical techniques to study melanins in multidisciplinary contexts with a view to their use as sustainable resources for advanced biotechnological applications, and how these may facilitate our achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy Irradiating samples with high-energy X-rays or gamma rays may result in the emission of fluorescent X-rays, and XRF is often used for elemental/chemical analysis [161] .This is insightful for fundamental studies of the concentrations of metal ions which are known to play important roles in oxidative damage of tissues [188], and XRF microscopy of highlighted increases in Na, Al and Fe content and diminution of Mg content, of the tissues of patients with alkaptonuria [345]; and for studies of an applied nature to examine the metal ion content ( Ca and Fe) of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) melanins used as pigments in works of art [304]. 2.19
As highlighted throughout the review, melanins are a class of biopolymers with diverse origins, chemical compositions and functions that are widespread in nature

Summary

Introduction

The color a light source has is dependent on the wavelengths of light mixed together. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy Irradiating samples with high-energy X-rays or gamma rays may result in the emission of fluorescent X-rays, and XRF is often used for elemental/chemical analysis [161] .This is insightful for fundamental studies of the concentrations of metal ions which are known to play important roles in oxidative damage of tissues [188], and XRF microscopy of highlighted increases in Na, Al and Fe content and diminution of Mg content, of the tissues of patients with alkaptonuria [345]; and for studies of an applied nature to examine the metal ion content ( Ca and Fe) of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) melanins used as pigments in works of art [304]. These types of research are complex [729] but adopting such an approach will help to ensure that a circular economy by design can be regenerative, restorative and inclusive of people and help achieve the UN SDGs

Conclusion

Findings

Conflicts of Interest