Melanin compositions and uses thereof and resulting products
AssigneesRegents of the Univ. of Minnesota, Sandoz Ltd.
InventorsRobert A. Blanchette, Theresa S. Brush, Roberta L. Farrell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compositions comprising melanin or melanin precursors are useful for preventing or controlling decay of substrates such as cellulosic and other porous organic substrates. The compositions provide useful wood preservatives, wound dressings, and the like. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise melanin complexed with metal ions, particularly copper. The compositions may be applied as penetrating or surface treatments. Certain melanins are also particularly useful for removing metal ions from liquids.
Claims33
The method of preserving a plant substrate subject to decay by microbial or environmental factors comprising applying to at least a surface of the substrate a decay-inhibiting effective amount of a preservative composition comprising melanin, a melanin precursor or a mixture thereof, and causing any such melanin precursor in said composition to polymerize to form melanin, such melanin being optionally in metal complexed form.
An article of manufacture comprising a plant substrate having at least one surface portion thereof susceptible to decay by microbial or environmental factors, at least said surface portion having applied thereto a decay-inhibiting effective amount of a preservative composition comprising melanin, melanin reactively bound with an anti-microbial agent, or a mixture thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.