Photo‐protective effect of cuttlefish ink melanin on human hair

Abstract

The photoprotective properties of exogenous melanin extracted from cuttlefish ink on human hair was assessed. Melanin extracted from cuttlefish ink was applied on black hair and irradiated using a solar simulator. The extent of photodegradation was determined by microstructural, morphological and mechanical testing. The UV–Vis spectra of melanin extracted from cuttlefish ink indicated strong absorption at UV region and moderate absorption in visible region. The melanin‐coated samples indicated significant protection to hair cuticle against UV radiations, as indicated by microscopic images (SEM). Conversely, visible cracks were evident on uncoated hair shafts, when exposed to UV‐radiations. Also, the melanin‐coated hair samples indicated negligible alterations in disulfide linkages, free sulfhydryl group content, water retention index and swelling index on UV exposure, as compared to that of uncoated samples. Similarly, the mechanical strength of the uncoated hair fibers was far compromised by UV irradiation compared to that of melanin‐coated hair fibers. The observations of the present study postulate cuttlefish melanin as a potential photoprotective agent in hair‐care formulations, which is otherwise considered as a process discard from cephalopod processing industry.

Phase change composites derived from chromium‐containing leather solid waste for efficient solar‐thermal energy storage

“…By comparing with gelatin, in GMA‐1 spectrum, the bands of the Amide I, Amide II, and Amide III appeared at 1631, 1541, and 1238 cm −1 , and had a 5 cm −1 of bule‐shift, which could be attributed to the polymerization of gelatin macromolecules under the induction of Al 3+ 8 . As shown in Figure 1b, the absorption peak of melanin appeared at 270 nm −1 wavelength, and then the absorbance decreased as the wavelength increased, which was attributed to the existence of complex conjugated structures in melanin molecules 50 . The monotonic broad‐band absorbance in the ultraviolet to visible wavelength range was a typical feature of melanin.…”

“…8 As shown in Figure 1b, the absorption peak of melanin appeared at 270 nm À1 wavelength, and then the absorbance decreased as the wavelength increased, which was attributed to the existence of complex conjugated structures in melanin molecules. 50 The monotonic broad-band absorbance in the ultraviolet to visible wavelength range was a typical feature of melanin.…”

Effect of Melanin on the Stability of Casein Films Exposed to Artificially Accelerated UV Aging

“…This effect was stronger the more melanin was used to modify the films. Melanin's ability to protect disulfide bonds from photodegradation has been previously demonstrated for creatine in human hair, among others [45].…”

“…Panel A presents the protein profile of bovine milk casein fraction (CNs) that serves as reference for casein films protein profiles (1-4; 1 -4 ). On line 1 representing the Cas sample protein profile the known bovine milk caseins and their dimers, trimers and oligo-, polymers as well es known caseins degradation products are marked according to [45][46][47]. Panel B represents the casein films protein profiles.…”

Protection and Restoration of Damaged Hair via a Polyphenol Complex by Promoting Mechanical Strength, Antistatic, and Ultraviolet Protection Properties

“…Subsequently, post-UV exposure, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is observed, which is further exacerbated due to prolonged exposure. Additionally, UV radiation induces photodegradation of hair proteins that increases cuticle size and induces cavity formation in the hair shaft [ 7 , 8 ]. Hence, a damaged hair shaft increases fragility and vulnerability and decreases the structural integrity of the hair [ 9 ].…”