Home > Research > Publications & Outputs > The Polymerization of Homogentisic Acid In Vitr...

Links

Text available via DOI:

View graph of relations

The Polymerization of Homogentisic Acid In Vitro as a Model for Pyomelanin Formation

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
Close
Article number2100489
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>17/03/2022
<mark>Journal</mark>Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Issue number6
Volume223
Number of pages10
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date10/02/22
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Melanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature, with diverse origins, compositions, and functions, and their chemical and optoelectronic properties render them potentially useful for application in materials science for various biotechnological applications. For patients with alkaptonuria, the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) in their bodies is associated with the concomitant deposition of pyomelanin, which is a pigment that contains significant amounts of polymerized HGA (polyHGA) in the bodily tissues of the patients. The polymerization of HGA under various different conditions in vitro is investigated using a selection of different analytical chemistry techniques to understand if there may be a correlation between the conditions and pigment deposition in vivo, and their potential for application as green/sustainable and components of electronic devices.