Production of eumelanin through fungal competition
Disciplines
Microbiology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Because of its many properties, including ultraviolet resistance, antioxidant activity, and bioremediation potential, eumelanin is utilized in many industries from cosmetics to electronics. As the demand rises, production of the pigment requires more cost effective, efficient, and ethical manufacturing. Currently, eumelanin is typically sourced from Sepia officinalis, the common cuttlefish. However, production of eumelanin from this source has proved environmentally problematic and inefficient. Fortunately, fungi present another avenue for eumelanin production. White rot fungi digest wood by excreting laccase enzymes extracellularly. Research has shown that laccase can catalyze the reaction to produce eumelanin. Many species of fungi have been documented as able to produce eumelanin, leading to further investigation into fungal sources of the pigment. Most notably, fungi will produce eumelanin as a defense mechanism when encountering other fungi in wood. This phenomenon is known as spalting. Spalting forms dark lines of eumelanin through wood, which are visible to the naked eye. These fungal interactions have sparked interest in co-culturing species of white-rot fungi. These lines of eumelanin create barriers between the two species. This study features a dual culture plate assay between the two white rot fungi Pleurotus ostreatus and Exidia spp. to highlight interactions between the two. As well, submerged fermentations of encapsulated fungi will be carried out to facilitate eumelanin production and identify relationships between pigment yields and fungal interactions.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Christopher Cornelison
Production of eumelanin through fungal competition
Because of its many properties, including ultraviolet resistance, antioxidant activity, and bioremediation potential, eumelanin is utilized in many industries from cosmetics to electronics. As the demand rises, production of the pigment requires more cost effective, efficient, and ethical manufacturing. Currently, eumelanin is typically sourced from Sepia officinalis, the common cuttlefish. However, production of eumelanin from this source has proved environmentally problematic and inefficient. Fortunately, fungi present another avenue for eumelanin production. White rot fungi digest wood by excreting laccase enzymes extracellularly. Research has shown that laccase can catalyze the reaction to produce eumelanin. Many species of fungi have been documented as able to produce eumelanin, leading to further investigation into fungal sources of the pigment. Most notably, fungi will produce eumelanin as a defense mechanism when encountering other fungi in wood. This phenomenon is known as spalting. Spalting forms dark lines of eumelanin through wood, which are visible to the naked eye. These fungal interactions have sparked interest in co-culturing species of white-rot fungi. These lines of eumelanin create barriers between the two species. This study features a dual culture plate assay between the two white rot fungi Pleurotus ostreatus and Exidia spp. to highlight interactions between the two. As well, submerged fermentations of encapsulated fungi will be carried out to facilitate eumelanin production and identify relationships between pigment yields and fungal interactions.