Melanins are enigmatic pigments that are produced
by a wide variety of microorganisms including
several species of bacteria and fungi. Melanins are biological
macromolecules with multiple important functions,
yet their structures are not well understood. Melanins are
frequently used in medicine, pharmacology, and cosmetics
preparations. Melanins also have great application potential
in agriculture industry. They have several biological
functions including photoprotection, thermoregulation,
action as free radical sinks, cation chelators, and antibiotics.
Plants and insects incorporate melanins as cell wall and
cuticle strengtheners, respectively. Actinobacteria are the
most economically as well as biotechnologically valuable
prokaryotes. However, the melanin properties are, in general,
poorly understood. In this review an evaluation is
made on the present state of research on actinobacterial
melanins and its perspectives. The highlights include the
production and biotechnological applications of melanins
in agriculture, food, cosmetic and medicinal fields. With
increasing advancement in science and technology, there
would be greater demands in the future for melanins produced
by actinobacteria from various sources.
Melanins are enigmatic pigments that are producedby a wide variety of microorganisms includingseveral species of bacteria and fungi. Melanins are biologicalmacromolecules with multiple important functions,yet their structures are not well understood. Melanins arefrequently used in medicine, pharmacology, and cosmeticspreparations. Melanins also have great application potentialin agriculture industry. They have several biologicalfunctions including photoprotection, thermoregulation,action as free radical sinks, cation chelators, and antibiotics.Plants and insects incorporate melanins as cell wall andcuticle strengtheners, respectively. Actinobacteria are themost economically as well as biotechnologically valuableprokaryotes. However, the melanin properties are, in general,poorly understood. In this review an evaluation ismade on the present state of research on actinobacterialmelanins and its perspectives. The highlights include theproduction and biotechnological applications of melaninsin agriculture, food, cosmetic and medicinal fields. Withincreasing advancement in science and technology, therewould be greater demands in the future for melanins producedby actinobacteria from various sources.
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