Do you know which pigment in your cell determines the color of your skin? Also, are you aware that the same pigment is responsible for deciding the color of your eyes and hair? The solely responsible element for defining your skin, hair, and eye color is melanin pigment.

Before knowing melanin's meaning, you must know that it is an amino acid. The chemical formula for this amino acid is C18H10N2O4. This is a natural pigment that is present in most living animals. Melanocytes are the skin cells that produce pigments. Though the number of melanocytes is the same in all human beings, the production quantity, and rate of this amino acid vary from person to person.

Now let us come to the definition. The melanin definition states that it is a naturally manufactured pigment, released from melanocytes (skin cells), which determines the color of eyes, hair, and skin in humans and other living animals. The color depends on the density and amount of melanin pigment the living animal has in his body.

The Chemistry of Melanin

Now that you know what is melanin pigment, let us learn the chemical procedures involved in making this amino acid. The chemistry of melanin involves a series of chemical processes.

The mechanism through which the pigment is produced is called melanogenesis. This involves the metabolism and oxidation of the amino acid named tyrosine. This process is followed by polymerization.

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If these processes don't occur, it may cause albinism. It is just the opposite of melanin definition. While melanin causes color to your hair, skin, and eyes, albinism fades away the color. However, there is another extreme term used as the antonym of albinism. This is known as melanism.

There are misconceptions about melanistic humans. Melanism doesn't occur in humans at all. We already know what melanin is. Now melanism is the excessive accumulation of melanin in animals. It can occur due to mutation but two other reasons are there.

Adaptive melanism is when animals get the extra pigments to adapt to their environment and survive safely. It acts as a good camouflage for them.
Industrial melanism mostly affects insects by a natural selection process. This happens to help them cope with a polluted surrounding. If pollution reduces, melanism slows down too.

Thus melanism is for animals to better adapt with environments and melanism humans doesn't exist.

Remember, black people are not victims of melanism. They simply have more melanin in their body than others. The melanin meaning is the same for all human beings and the color of skin, hair, and eyes depends on the density of melanin in one's body.

What are the Functions of Melanin?

You may wonder why the skin colors vary from person to person? Why does the disparity of black and white exist? The main reason behind the variation of melanin production is exposure to the sun. Asian and African people are mostly exposed to the sun more than the people living in Europe or America. Due to this reason, the melanin function is different for Asian and African people who have a darker skin tone than Europeans and Americans.

The UV-A rays directly pass the skin and reach the lower epidermis. This UV ray activates the melanocytes. Melanocytes get stimulated and start manufacturing melanin. These dark pigments protect the skin from damage making the skin tone darker. Thus, depending on the degree of exposure to the sun, pigmentation is produced.

Let Us know about Some Main Melanin Functions:

It protects the skin against the adverse effects of UV rays. The UV rays protect the skin by stimulating melanin production in the skin.
Melanin absorbs heat inside the skin which helps cold-blooded animals to survive in cold weather.
Excess melanin in certain animals acts as camouflage that improves their adaptability and survival procedure.
Melanin improves the vision of your eye as it absorbs deranged beams of light.
It acts as a resistance to abrasion in an unfavorable habitat protecting species and helping them to adapt.

What are the Sources of Melanin?

We have studied what is melanin pigment, the chemical process of how it is produced, and how it helps species for better survival. Now, it is time to know some sources of melanin that can be used to initiate the production of melanin.

The main sources to get melanin are Antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, herbs, and botanicals. The main foods that can be the sources of melanin are listed below-

Colorful vegetables
Dark chocolate
Dark berries
Dark green leaves
Carrots
Spinach
Peas
Grains
Seeds
Nuts
Citrus
Tea
Essential oils
Vitamin supplements

Fun Fact

Do you know that the risk of skin cancer is 70 times more to white-skinned people than people with dark skin tone? Yes, melanin protects the skin against harmful UV rays making the skin look darker and reducing the risk of skin cancer.

Research says that melanosomes in dark-skinned people are more capable of reducing cell damages compared to white-skinned people. Though researches regarding skin cancer are still going on, to some extent, melanin prevents skin cancer according to the data.

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FAQs on Melanin: Function, Importance, and Sources

1. What is melanin and where is it produced in the human body?

Melanin is a complex polymer derived from the amino acid tyrosine. It is the primary pigment responsible for the colour of our skin, hair, and eyes. In the human body, melanin is produced by specialised cells called melanocytes, which are primarily located in the basal layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin), hair follicles, and the iris of the eye.

2. What is the primary importance of melanin in humans?

The most crucial function of melanin is photoprotection. It protects the skin by absorbing and dissipating harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. By forming a protective shield over the nucleus of skin cells, it prevents UV-induced DNA damage, which can lead to mutations and increase the risk of skin cancers like melanoma. Higher melanin concentration provides greater natural protection against sunburn and sun damage.

3. What are the different types of melanin and how do they differ in function?

There are three main types of melanin, each with distinct characteristics and functions:

Eumelanin: This is the most common type and appears as brown or black pigment. It is abundant in individuals with dark skin and hair and offers the most effective protection against UV radiation.
Pheomelanin: This pigment imparts a reddish-yellow hue and is responsible for red hair and freckles. It is less effective at blocking UV rays and may even contribute to oxidative stress when exposed to sunlight.
Neuromelanin: Found in the brain, its specific function is still under research, but it is believed to play a role in protecting neurons in areas like the substantia nigra from oxidative stress.

4. How does sun exposure trigger an increase in melanin production?

When the skin is exposed to UV radiation, it triggers a defensive response. The UV rays stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). MSH binds to receptors on the surface of melanocytes, activating an enzyme called tyrosinase. This enzyme initiates the biochemical pathway known as melanogenesis, converting tyrosine into melanin. The newly synthesised melanin is then packaged into vesicles called melanosomes and transferred to surrounding keratinocytes, causing the skin to darken or 'tan'.

5. What are some key dietary sources that can support the body's natural production of melanin?

While you cannot directly eat melanin, you can consume nutrients that are precursors or cofactors for its synthesis. Key sources include:

Tyrosine-rich foods: Since melanin is made from tyrosine, consuming foods like cheese, turkey, eggs, beans, and seeds can provide the necessary building blocks.
Antioxidants: Foods rich in antioxidants, such as dark berries, dark chocolate, leafy greens, and colourful vegetables, help protect melanocytes from oxidative damage.
Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin A (carrots, sweet potatoes), Vitamin E (nuts, seeds), Vitamin C (citrus fruits), and copper are essential for the proper functioning of the enzymes involved in melanin production.

6. What are the biological consequences of melanin deficiency?

Melanin deficiency results in a significantly reduced ability to protect the body from UV radiation. The primary example of a condition caused by a lack of melanin is albinism, a genetic disorder where there is little to no production of melanin. Individuals with albinism have very pale skin, white or light-coloured hair, and vision problems, as melanin is also crucial for the development of the retina. They face a much higher risk of developing skin cancer and suffering severe sunburns from minimal sun exposure.

7. Besides skin pigmentation, what are some lesser-known functions of melanin in the human body?

Beyond its role in determining skin, hair, and eye colour, melanin has several other important functions. It plays a role in the auditory system, where its absence is linked to certain types of hearing impairment. In the brain, neuromelanin helps protect specific neurons from damage. Melanin also has antioxidant properties, helping to neutralise free radicals throughout the body, and is involved in the inflammatory response.