Exploring allomelanin: A comparative analysis via natural product extraction and synthesis.

ABSTRACT: Allomelanin is a nitrogen-free class of melanin commonly found in plants and fungi. Although synthetic analogs have been developed from 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,8-DHN), detailed physicochemical comparisons with natural allomelanins remain limited. Herein, we extracted allomelanin from black knot fungus, chaga mushroom, and black oat using an acid-base extraction protocol, comparing them against a library of synthetic analogs derived from a range of putative, natural precursors. Spectroscopic analyses indicate that simple homopolymerization of 1,8-DHN does not adequately represent natural allomelanin structures. Instead, heterogeneous copolymerization of 1,8-DHN with catechol or tannic acid yields materials with physicochemical properties more consistent with natural extracts. This is al

SUBMITTER: Aman S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12904162 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature