Characterization and Biological Activities of Melanin from the Medicinal Fungi Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Author:

Tong Chaoqun12,Luo Jian1234,Xie Chaolu12,Wei Junhong12ORCID,Pan Guoqing12,Zhou Zeyang125ORCID,Li Chunfeng12

Affiliation:

1. State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China

2. Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China

3. Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China

4. NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China

5. College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China

Abstract

Melanin is a complex natural pigment that is widely present in fungi. The mushroom Ophiocordyceps sinensis has a variety of pharmacological effects. The active substances of O. sinensis have been extensively studied, but few studies have focused on the O. sinensis melanin. In this study, the production of melanin was increased by adding light or oxidative stress, namely, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS), during liquid fermentation. Subsequently, the structure of the purified melanin was characterized using elemental analysis, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and pyrolysis gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py-GCMS). Studies have shown that O. sinensis melanin is composed of C (50.59), H (6.18), O (33.90), N (8.19), and S (1.20), with maximum absorbance at 237 nm and typical melanin structures such as benzene, indole, and pyrrole. Additionally, the various biological activities of O. sinensis melanin have been discovered; it can chelate heavy metals and shows a strong ultraviolet-blocking ability. Moreover, O. sinensis melanin can reduce the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and counteract the oxidative damage of H2O2 to cells. These results can help us to develop applications of O. sinensis melanin in radiation resistance, heavy metal pollution remediation, and antioxidant use.

Funder

Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities to Southwest University

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Inorganic Chemistry,Organic Chemistry,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry,Computer Science Applications,Spectroscopy,Molecular Biology,General Medicine,Catalysis

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