Synthetic Melanin Films as Potential Interfaces for Peroxynitrite Detection and Quantification

Abstract

Peroxynitrite (PON) is a highly reactive oxygen-nitrogen species that facilitates both oxidation and nitration reactions. Early reports have revealed the deleterious effects of PON on DNA, proteins, and lipids. Recent studies have suggested that melanin can act as an antioxidative therapy to scavenge the reactive oxygen-nitrogen species (RO-NS) including PON. Melanin is a natural pigment that has many physiological functions involving the neutralization of highly oxidative species. In this project, the interaction between PON and synthetic melanin has been studied. In addition, the electrochemical characteristics of the polymerized 5,6-dihydroxy indole (DHI) as a model of synthetic melanin were examined using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy showed a significant difference in the absorbance of PON alone and in the presence of melanin films. Finally, we report on the possibility of using the DHI-melanin film as a platform for the quantitative detection of PON in solutions. Post-print standardized by MSL Academic Endeavors, the imprint of the

Fast and Reliable Synthesis of Melanin Nanoparticles with Fine-Tuned Metal Adsorption Capacities for Studying Heavy Metal Ions Uptake

“…The synthesis procedure is adapted from a previous work in our lab involving a DAI precursor in an organic-water co-solvent mixture, but not using electro-polymerization. 48 Other procedures in the literature 33 reported the synthesis of melanin-like polymers in 6 hours using a DL-dopa precursor. A similar procedure using DAI was reported in the literature, 37 but also reported the same 6-hour time span of the reaction in strictly aqueous solution.…”