Reaction of superoxide anions with melanins: electron spin resonance and spin trapping studies.

Scavenging of superoxide radicals by melanin is a possible factor in the photoprotection afforded by melanin pigments. The reaction between superoxide anions and melanins has been studied by electron spin resonance and spin trapping methods. It was found that superoxide anions react to produce melanin free radicals in a reaction inhibited by superoxide dismutase but not by catalase. The rate of radical formation depends on the concentration of melanin and superoxide, the pH of the medium and the presence of diamagnetic metal ions. The melanin pigment competes with the enzyme superoxide dismutase for removal of superoxide radicals. It was found that the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system is not suitable for studying the reaction of superoxide with melanin, as the enzymatic activity of xanthine oxidase is considerably inhibited by melanin.