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Enzyme‐Mediated In Situ Synthesis and Deposition of Nonaggregated Melanin Protoparticles
Author(s) -
Strube Oliver I.,
Büngeler Anne,
Bremser Wolfgang
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201500315
Subject(s) - melanin , in situ , materials science , tyrosinase , monolayer , bioelectronics , deposition (geology) , nanotechnology , supramolecular chemistry , enzyme , chemical engineering , biosensor , chemistry , organic chemistry , molecule , biochemistry , biology , paleontology , sediment , engineering
The previously introduced process for enzyme‐mediated in situ synthesis and deposition of eumelanin is investigated with covalent immobilization of the tyrosinase. It results in a monolayer structure of non‐coalesced melanin particles, with a film thickness of 5–8 nm. The reaction is self‐terminating due to overlay of the enzymes with particles. The melanin particles are rodlike with lengths down to 6 nm. Isolated melanin structures of such small size have not been observed before and might be a kind of protoparticle in the supramolecular buildup of melanin oligomers. Utilization of melanin particles with such small size can enable nanotechnological applications in the areas of bioelectronics and biosensors.