African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5229

Full Length Research Paper

Extraction and characterization of melanin from Phomopsis: A phellophytic fungi Isolated from Azadirachta indica A. Juss

K. Rajagopal, G. Kathiravan* and S. Karthikeyan
Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, VELS University Pallavaram Chennai- 600 117, India.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 11 January 2011
  •  Published: 30 April 2011

Abstract

 

A phellophytic fungus Phomopsis (Endophytic fungi residing in the Bark) of Azadirachta indica screened for the presence of melanin on their hyphae using an alkali procedure, yielded a dark brown pigment. The purified pigment was subjected to various chemical and physical tests that are diagnostic for melanin. The pigment responds positively for all the diagnostic tests for melanin. Further study on the nature of melanin was done with a bark fungus. The fungus synthesis and deposits DOPA type of melanin on their hyphae.

 

Key words: Coelomycetes, dark pigment, DOPA melanin, kojic acid, endophyte.