Antioxidant function of melanin in black fungi.

1,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene melanin in Wangiella dermatitidis and Alternaria alternata was titrated in vivo with the oxidants permanganate, hypochlorite, and H2O2. Melanized strains neutralized more oxidant and withstood higher concentrations of permanganate and hypochlorite than albino strains did. H2O2 killing required 1,000-fold higher concentrations, and melanin did not protect W. dermatitidis against H2O2.