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Melanin‐Inspired Chromophoric Microparticles Composed of Polymeric Peptide Pigments
Author(s) -
Lampel Ayala,
McPhee Scott A.,
Kassem Salma,
Sementa Deborah,
Massarano Tlalit,
Aramini James M.,
He Ye,
Ulijn Rein V.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.202015170
Subject(s) - covalent bond , chemistry , tripeptide , chromophore , polymerization , biomolecule , supramolecular chemistry , polymer , amino acid , fluorescence , melanin , peptide , tyrosine , organic chemistry , photochemistry , combinatorial chemistry , nanotechnology , materials science , molecule , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
Melanin and related polyphenolic pigments are versatile functional polymers that serve diverse aesthetic and protective roles across the living world. These polymeric pigments continue to inspire the development of adhesive, photonic, electronic and radiation‐protective materials and coatings. The properties of these structures are dictated by covalent and non‐covalent interactions in ways that, despite progress, are not fully understood. It remains a major challenge to direct oxidative polymerization of their precursors (amino acids, (poly‐)phenols, thiols) toward specific structures. By taking advantage of supramolecular pre‐organization of tyrosine‐tripeptides and reactive sequestering of selected amino acids during enzymatic oxidation, we demonstrate the spontaneous formation of distinct new chromophores with optical properties that are far beyond the range of those found in biological melanins, in terms of color, UV absorbance and fluorescent emission.