Lungelo Gwala
Ever wondered how melanin is produced?
Engage with my list to know how melanin production helps bacteria survive from harmful UV rays.
In simple terms, Melanins are characterized by having a dark colour, being insoluble in organic or aqueous liquids, being impervious to concentrated acid, and being bleach-able by oxidising chemicals. Melanins shield microorganisms from a variety of environmental stresses, such as oxidative stress, toxic heavy metals, and UV light.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8066239/
Melanin has gastrointestinal, radioprotective, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects that are significant in the creation of medicinal products. The production of melanin by free-living microorganisms is expected to give them a survival edge over their surroundings.
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1635213/
Not all bacteria make us sick, some are crucial for our existence and the pigment producing is one of them. It is safe to say that out of all existing microorganisms, bacteria must be considered an inexhaustible source of new natural pigments which have an endless number of beneficial properties that can be applied as biomedical treatments.
Pathogenic fungi/bacteria are shielded from environmental stresses by melanin. Under life threatening situations, Melanin protects against oxidative damage caused by UV or ionising radiation by scavenging free radicals leaving the bacteria unharmed.
Melanin is synthesized by phenoloxidases or the polyketide synthase pathway in fungi, bacteria, and helminths. The UV portions of the visible spectrum are shielded from animals and cells by melanin, which also has the capacity to sequester reactive oxygen species, reducing the damage caused by UV radiation.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2015.01463/full
