Formulation of Ointment by Integrating Melanin Pigment Isolated and Purified from Aspergillus spp. and the Comparative Analysis of Pigment’s SPF with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are essential components in the formulation of sunscreens and other photoprotective products, providing a shield against harmful UV radiation. These filters are broadly classified into organic (chemical) filters (e.g. oxybenzone) and inorganic (physical) filters (e.g. ZnO nanoparticles). This research aims at extraction, isolation and purification of a photoprotective pigment, Melanin from Aspergillus spp. Also, the research comprises the formulation of an ointment by integrating the purified pigment. Aspergillus spp. was enriched in Sabouraud's broth. After 2 weeks, the Melanin pigment was extracted and characterized by a UV-spectrophotometer. The λmax was found to be at 335 nm which confirmed presence of melanin. An ointment was formulated by mixing the pigment and molten petroleum jelly (vaseline) in 1:10 v/v. Studies were conducted with respect to the cream's stability and efficiency. Further, this study also intends to compare the sun-protecting factor (SPF) of this pigment with that of Zinc oxide nanoparticles, which are the most commonly found filters in sunscreens. Hence, ZnO nanoparticles was synthesised and characterized by UV-spectrophotometer. The peak obtained at 360 nm confirmed the synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles. The SPF of the isolated and purified Melanin pigment was found to be higher.