M0418

Melanin

Synthetic, BioReagent, suitable for cell culture

• CAS Number: 8049-97-6
• EC Number: 232-473-6
• MDL number: MFCD00131581
• UNSPSC Code: 12352209
• NACRES: NA.75

Properties

• biological source: synthetic
• product line: BioReagent
• Assay: ≥97% (TLC)
• form: powder
• technique(s): cell culture | mammalian: suitable
• solubility: 1 N NH₄OH: 20 mg/mL
• storage temp.: −20°C
• SMILES string: [nH]1c2c3c(c4c5c([nH]c4)c([c]([c](c5c3c1)=O)=O)C)[c]([c](c2C)=O)=O
• InChI: 1S/C18H10N2O4/c1-5-13-9-7(3-19-13)12-10-8(11(9)17(23)15(5)21)4-20-14(10)6(2)16(22)18(12)24/h3-4,19-20H,1-2H3
• InChI key: XUMBMVFBXHLACL-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Description

General description

Melanin is a distinctive class of pigment found in animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi. It is an amorphous polymer formed by the polymerization of phenolic and indolic compounds.

Application

Melanin has been used:

• to incubate normal human keratinocytes for Masson-Fontana staining
• as a standard in the determination of melanin content in normal human epidermal melanocytes and immortalized human keratinocytes
• as an absorber to mimic human skin or melanocytic nevi and melanoma

Biochem/physiol Actions

Melanin plays a role in camouflage and energy harvesting. It also helps in protection against ionizing UV radiations, protection against biotic factors such as host defense against pathogens, and abiotic factors like heat, cold and osmotic stress. Melanin acts as a potent cation chelator and is a component of several photoprotective creams as it facilitates free radical scavenging activity. Melanin may be useful as a photo protectant in cell culture.

Preparation Note

Prepared by oxidation of tyrosine with hydrogen peroxide.

Safety Information

• Storage Class Code: 11 - Combustible Solids
• WGK: WGK 1
• Flash Point(F): Not applicable
• Flash Point(C): Not applicable
• Personal Protective Equipment: dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves