Biocompatibility investigations of synthetic melanin and melanin analogue for application in bioelectronics

Polymer International Volume: 65 Issue: 11 Pages: 1347-1354 Published: 2016

AFM images (1.0 μm× 1.0 μm) of melanin thin films: (a)W-Mel 5mg mL−1 (group 1); (b) W-Mel 30mg mL−1 (group 2); (c) D-Mel 5mg mL−1 (group 3); (d) D-Mel 30mg mL−1 (group 4).

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Writers: Marina Piacenti-Silva, Adriana Arruda Matos, João Vitor Paulin, Rafaela Alves da Silva Alavarce, Rodrigo Cardoso de Oliveira, Carlos FO Graeff

Keywords: biocompatibility; melanin; polymer; bioelectronics

Abstract: Biocompatibility tests were performed for melanin synthesized in water (W-Mel) and dimethylsulfoxide (D-Mel) aiming to evaluate its potential for bioelectronics application. In vitrobiocompatibility of melanin was assessed using crystal violet assays with fibroblast cells (NIH3T3) cultured with W-Mel and D-Mel extracts in various dilutions. The results show that a high concentration of melanin kills the cells. However, after periods of 48 h incubation, cell viability is significantly favored after treatment with D-Mel at low concentrations (1:16, 1:32 and 1:64), as opposed to treatment with W-Mel extracts. Cellular adhesion tests show that fibroblast cells adhere to melanin thin films. These results show that D-Mel may be an interesting material for application in bioelectronic devices targeted for implants.

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O CDMF é um dos Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão (CEPID) apoiados pela FAPESP. O Centro também recebe investimento do CNPq, a partir do Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia dos Materiais em Nanotecnologia (INCTMN).