For the first time ever, scientists have been able to “unmix” the black pigment that colors our skin and gives bananas their spots, through the use of eumelanin, a form of melanin that produces brown or black colors.
Melanin is important to the human body: It acts as a natural sunscreen, protecting DNA from damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. It also destroys free radicals in the body and keeps metal ions from harming organs.
But despite knowing all of that, scientists do not know one of the most basic things about melanin, said Bern Kohler, senior author of the study, published today in the journal Chemical Science.
“The most fundamental question that can be asked about a pigment is what gives it its color,” said Kohler, Ohio Eminent Scholar and chemistry professor at Ohio State.
More details over at Ohio State News.
(Image Credit: ClickChemist/ Wikimedia Commons)