Properties of melanin from black tea leaves

Abstract

ABSTRACT:In this study, partial physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of melanin from black tea leaves were studied. The results show that black tea melanin powder was dark tinted red and yellow (L * = 36.47, a * = 0.33,Black tea melanin solution exhibited strong optical absorbance in a wide UV-Vis spectral range and was relatively stable in the range of 25-100°C and under natural light. Furthermore, black tea melanin exhibited a strong superoxide-and hydroxyl-radical scavenging activity. Results of the present study indicated that black tea melanin could be potentially used as a food colourant with health benefits.

Vitiligo Treated by Soaking in an Earth Pond Containing KELEA Activated Water

“…The extent of polymerization and other structural changes result in a diverse array of compounds included within the term melanin [4] . Different types of melanins are distributed throughout evolution, including being present in some unicellular prokaryote and eukaryote organisms and in all fungi, plants and animals [5][6][7][8] . In humans, melanin is the principal component responsible for skin and hair pigmentation, with marked differences in its levels in different racial groups [9] .…”