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U.S. Department of Energy
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The protective effect of melanin against radiation. Final technical report, Oct 1975--Oct 1976

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7212831
Oxidation and reduction of autoxidative dopa-melanin were studied. Reduction with neither ascorbic acid nor sodium dithionite led to any overall increase in the number of 5,6-dihydroxyindole units in the melanin polymer. The melanin was oxidised using repsectivley potassium ferricyanide and ceric sulphate solutions but in neither case was the melanin e.s.r. signal diminished. The interaction of melanin's free radicals with cupric ions was shown not to be chemical in nature. The number of bound cupric ions was determined and the value used to calculate the number of free radicals in autoxidative dopa-melanin.
Research Organization:
Newcastle upon Tyne Univ. (UK). Dept. of Organic Chemistry
OSTI ID:
7212831
Report Number(s):
AD-A-033604
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English