초록

The present invention provides an enzymatic and a chemical synthesis of melanins and novel melanins.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for producing a water soluble bioactive melanin polymer, the method comprising: treating a substrate containing at least two hydroxyl groups with a metal-containing catalyst, in the presence of oxygen, for a time sufficient to produce quinones; andpolymerizing the quinones to yield a wat

1. A method for producing a water soluble bioactive melanin polymer, the method comprising: treating a substrate containing at least two hydroxyl groups with a metal-containing catalyst, in the presence of oxygen, for a time sufficient to produce quinones; andpolymerizing the quinones to yield a water soluble, bio-active melanin polymer; wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of cinnamic acids, coumarins, phenols, hydroxyflavanones, hydroxynapthalenes, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavonoids, pyrocatechols, hydroxybenzaldehydes, and combinations thereof. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is in an aqueous solution. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the aqueous solution has a basic pH. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the aqueous solution is a sodium carbonate buffer at a pH of about 10.6. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal-containing catalyst is selected from the group consisting of an iron complex, a cobalt complex, a nickel complex, and salcomine. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of alizarin, pyrogallol, quercetin dehydrate, daphnetin, 2,3-dihydroxynapthalene, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (protocatechuric acid), 6,7-dihydroxy-4-coumarinyl acetic acid, baicalein, gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, esculetin, caffeic acid, catechin, nordihydroquaiuretic acid, baicalein hydrate, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic acid, epinephrine (bitartrate), epinine (2-deoxy norepinephrine), 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, and combinations thereof. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: purifying the melanin polymer. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal-containing catalyst is a polyphenol oxidase and the substrate is treated with the polyphenol oxidase in an aqueous buffer at a pH of about 7.0 for a time sufficient to produce the quinones. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising inactivating the polyphenol oxidase.