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Vibrational characterization of pheomelanin and trichochrome F by Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract
We characterize for the first time the vibrational state of natural pheomelanin using Raman spectroscopy and model pigment synthesized from 5-S-cysteinyldopa. The shape of the Raman spectrum was very different from that of eumelanin. Four Raman bands were visible in the 500-2000 cm(-1) wavenumber region about 500, 1150, 1490 and 2000 cm(-1), which we assigned to the out-of-plane deformation and the stretching vibration of the phenyl rings, to the stretching vibration of C-N bonds or the stretching and wagging vibration of CH2, and to overtone or combination bands. Interestingly, we also show that the Raman spectrum of synthetic trichochrome F, a pigment that may be produced along with pheomelanin during pheomelanogenesis, is different from that of pheomelanin and similar to the spectrum of eumelanin. We could detect Raman signal of both eumelanin and pheomelanin in feathers and hairs where both pigments simultaneously occur without the need of isolating the pigment. This indicates that Raman spectroscopy represents a non-invasive method to detect pheomelanin and distinguish it from other pigments. This may be especially relevant to detect pheomelanin in animal skin including humans, where it has been associated with animal appearance and classification, human phototypes, prevention of skin diseases and cancer risk.
AuthorsIsmael Galván, Alberto Jorge, Francisco Solano, Kazumasa Wakamatsu
JournalSpectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy (Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc) Vol. 110 Pg. 55-9 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1873-3557 [Electronic] England
PMID23563634 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
CopyrightCopyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Chemical References
  • Melanins
  • Pigments, Biological
  • pheomelanin
  • eumelanin
Topics
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Feathers (chemistry)
  • Female
  • Hair (chemistry)
  • Humans
  • Melanins (analysis)
  • Pigments, Biological (analysis)
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Young Adult

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