Purification and characterization of a melanin biodegradation enzyme from Geotrichum sp

Melanin is a black or brown phenolic polymer present mainly in skin and hair. Although melanin can be degraded by some microbial species, the melanin degradation capacity of Geotrichum sp. is unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize a melanin biodegradation enzyme from Geotrichum sp.

In this study, we assessed the melanin degradation activity of Geotrichum sp. in comparison with the major melanin-degrading enzymes, manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP), manganese-independent peroxidase, lignin peroxidase and laccase. Furthermore, the effect of several carbohydrates on melanin degradation by Geotrichum sp. was determined. The MnP enzyme was purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography, and then the conditions for optimal enzymatic activity were determined by adjusting the pH, temperature and Tween-80 concentration.

Compared with extracellular ligninolytic enzymes of Geotrichum sp., MnP had the highest ligninolytic enzyme activity; and the highest enzymatic activity was observed in the presence of glucose. The final purified MnP enzyme exhibited 6 U mL^-1 activity and had a molecular weight of 54.2 kDa. The enzymatic activity was highest at pH 4.5 and 25-35°C in the absence of Tween-80.

These results indicate the potential of MnP purified from Geotrichum sp. as a skin-lightening agent in the cosmetic industry.