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Melanin from the Lichens Cetraria islandica and Pseudevernia furfuracea: Structural Features and Physicochemical Properties

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Abstract

Lichens are symbiotic photosynthesizing organisms with thalli formed by fungi and algae/cyanobacteria that possess high stress tolerance. One of the factors that contributes to the ability of a lichen to tolerate harsh environmental conditions is the presence of unique metabolites, including high-molecular-weight dark pigments termed melanins. The chemical composition and structure of lichen melanins remain poorly studied. We analyzed the elemental composition, the main functional groups, and the physicochemical properties of melanin extracted from Cetraria islandica and Pseudevernia furfuracea lichens. Based on the C/N ratio, this pigment is allomelanin. We also identified functional groups that provide photoprotective and antioxidant properties of melanin. Melanin synthesis might be an essential defense mechanism contributing to the survival of lichens under exposure to UV radiation.

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Abbreviations

DHN:

1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene

DPPH:

2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl

UV:

ultraviole

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Professor Knut Solhaug (Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway) for his help in collecting lichens. The technical assistance of V.M. Babaev and D.A. Faizullin (FRC KazSC RAS) is greatly appreciated.

Funding

The work was performed within the government assignment of FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS (extraction, elemental analysis, antioxidant activity). partly supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project No. 18-14-00198, spectral analysis) and partly by the the Russian Government Program of Competitive Growth of Kazan Federal University (analysis of chemical standard).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 420111, Kazan, Russia

    A. E. Rassabina, O. P. Gurjanov & F. V. Minibayeva

  2. School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 3209, Scottsville, South Africa

    R. P. Beckett

  3. Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 420008, Kazan, Russia

    F. V. Minibayeva

Authors
  1. A. E. Rassabina
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  2. O. P. Gurjanov
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  3. R. P. Beckett
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  4. F. V. Minibayeva
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. V. Minibayeva.

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This article does not contain studies involving animals or human participants performed by any of the authors. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

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Rassabina, A., Gurjanov, O., Beckett, R. et al. Melanin from the Lichens Cetraria islandica and Pseudevernia furfuracea: Structural Features and Physicochemical Properties. Biochemistry Moscow 85, 623–628 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0006297920050119

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