• Muhasina cp
• Aneesha K
• Nishana vv
• Rinshida shefi PM
• Shahanas KA,Shibila Nargees AP

Melanin, a versatile biopolymer with applications across cosmetics, pharmaceuticals,and agriculture, can be sustainably produced using microorganisms. This study focuses on isolating and identifying melanin- producing bacteria from soil samples,utilizing fruit waste extracts as a nutrient source.Soil samples collected from a foodwaste dumping site were screened for melanin-producing bacteria using nutrient agar and King’s B agar. Positive isolates were identified through morphological and biochemical characterization, followed by qualitative screening on tyrosine agar.Melanin production was compared using L-tyrosine and fruit waste extract assubstrates, with bacterial culture.The extracted melanin was purified through acidprecipitation and centrifugation, followed by spectrophotometric assays to quantify production levels. The melanin assay involved enzymatic conversion using L-DOPA as a substrate, with absorbance measured between 400-500 nm. UV-Vis spectroscopyconfirmed the characteristic broad absorbance of melanin, with peaks between 300-400 nm for eumelanin .The antimicrobial potential of the extracted melanin wasevaluated against acne-causing bacteria using the well diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA), demonstrating significant inhibition zones. The dyeing potentialwas tested on cloth and grey hair, where melanin pigments imparted a brown-to-black coloration, confirming their efficacy as natural dyes. Additionally, the photo-protective properties of melanin were assessed by incorporating it into commercial sunscreen formulations. Spectrophotometric analysis in the UV range determined the sunprotection factor (SPF), indicating enhanced photoprotective capabilities. This study highlights the feasibility of utilizing fruit waste extract as a sustainable and economicaly cheap substrate for microbial melanin production, offering a natural alternative for antimicrobial agents, cosmetic dyes, and UV-protective applications

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MELANIN PIGMENT PRODUCING BACTERIA FROM SOIL USING FRUIT WASTE EXTRACT AND ITS APPLICATION

"ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MELANIN PIGMENT PRODUCING BACTERIA FROM SOIL USING FRUIT WASTE EXTRACT AND ITS APPLICATION", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 4, page no.l598-l614, April-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2504B74.pdf

"ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MELANIN PIGMENT PRODUCING BACTERIA FROM SOIL USING FRUIT WASTE EXTRACT AND ITS APPLICATION", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 4, page no. ppl598-l614, April-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2504B74.pdf