Melanin pigments from the fungiPaecilomyces variotii andAspergillus carbonarius

Pigments synthesized by the micromycetesPaecilomyces variotii andAspergillus carbonarius are true melanins. Copper ions and bicyclic phenolic compounds stimulated melaninogenesis, whereas benzotriazole inhibited this process. Precursors of melanin pigments were obtained and identified.p-Hydroxybenzoic acid was shown to be the main product of melanin degradation. Melanins of these fungi are concluded to belong to the dihydronaphthalene group.