Identification of fungal melanin production and the role of anti-melanin agents.

Accumulation of melanin pigment in some specific areas of human skin leads to various skin disorders. This study includes melanin production and extraction from non-dermatophyte, filamentous fungi (Aspergillus niger). The effect of carbon, nitrogen, pH and temperature on melanin production was also observed. Qualitative and Quantitative analysis was performed to confirm melanin pigment from A. niger by using solubility test, precipitation test and reaction with oxidizing and reducing agent. Fungus gave maximum melanin production with dextrose, peptone, pH 5.6 at 37oC. To avoid hyper pigmentation tyrosinase is the primary target to inhibit melanin production. Study has used A. Niger as model organism to study the melanin formation under various melanin inhibitors. Ascorbic acid showed maximum inhibition at 50% while it was 25% for Kojic acid. Curcumin inhibited the tyrosinase activity at 25% while maximum inhibition observed was 30% for Aloesin and 20% for flavonoid.