| 초록 |
Here, we present biosynthesis of novel melanin pigments through the eco-friendly microbial conversion of caffeic acid by engineering Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. The cells expressed feruloyl-CoA synthetase (FCS) and enoyl-CoA hydratase/aldolase (ECH) for the conversion of caffeic acid into protocatechualdehyde. The synthesized protocatechualdehyde further underwent oxidative modification into a diquinone structure, followed by polymerization into melanin complex (F/E-Melanin). The expression of FCS and ECH in the presence of 0.5 mM caffeic acid could produce F/E-Melanin black pigments up to 170 mg dry wt/L within 12 hrs. Interestingly, the synthesized melanin was applied for hydrogel of soft contact lens dyeing and showed excellent dyeing performance with biological activities of antibacterial and antioxidant capacities, as well as a higher water-content rate than those of the existing synthetic melanins prepared in this study. |
