Fluorescent quantification of melanin. (22nd October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernandes, Bruno; Matamá, Teresa; Guimarães, Diana; Gomes, Andreia; Cavaco‐Paulo, Artur
• Is Part Of: Pigment cell & melanoma research. Volume 29:Number 6(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 707
• Page End: 712
• Publication Date: 2016-10-22
• Subjects: melanin -- pigment quantification -- melanin oxidation -- melanin fluorescence -- absorption spectroscopy; Melanoma -- Periodicals; Chromatophores -- Periodicals; Animal pigments -- Periodicals; 616.99477
• DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12535
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-1471

Abstract

Summary: Melanin quantification is reportedly performed by absorption spectroscopy, commonly at 405 nm. Here, we propose the implementation of fluorescence spectroscopy for melanin assessment. In a typical in vitro assay to assess melanin production in response to an external stimulus, absorption spectroscopy clearly overvalues melanin content. This method is also incapable of distinguishing non‐melanotic/amelanotic control cells from those that are actually capable of performing melanogenesis. Therefore, fluorescence spectroscopy is the best method for melanin quantification as it proved to be highly specific and accurate, detecting even small variations in the synthesis of melanin. This method can also be applied to the quantification of melanin in more complex biological matrices like zebrafish embryos and human hair.