Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41591674›Full record

ReviewWorld journal of microbiology & biotechnology2026

Microbial melanin: biosynthesis, functional Insights, and emerging research challenges.

Qiaolei Zhu, Xiaodi Wang, Yunping Zhu, Wanting Yue, Yao Yu

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in World journal of microbiology & biotechnology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Qiaolei ZhuKey Laboratory of Green Manufacturing and Biosynthesis of Food Bioactive Substances, General Chamber of Commerce, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China.
Xiaodi WangKey Laboratory of Green Manufacturing and Biosynthesis of Food Bioactive Substances, General Chamber of Commerce, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China.
Yunping ZhuKey Laboratory of Green Manufacturing and Biosynthesis of Food Bioactive Substances, General Chamber of Commerce, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China. zhuyp@th.btbu.edu.cn.
Wanting YueKey Laboratory of Green Manufacturing and Biosynthesis of Food Bioactive Substances, General Chamber of Commerce, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China.
Yao YuKey Laboratory of Green Manufacturing and Biosynthesis of Food Bioactive Substances, General Chamber of Commerce, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China.

Funding

the Program for the National Natural Science Foundation of China No.32272253
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Microbial melanin, a natural pigment produced by diverse bacteria and fungi, has emerged as a sustainable and biotechnologically viable alternative to traditional sources. This review summarizes recent advancements in the field of microbial melanin, focusing on its biosynthetic pathways, production optimization strategies, challenges, and potential applications. It specifically highlights the pivotal roles of omics technologies and genetic engineering in elucidating biosynthetic mechanisms and enhancing yield. We first detail the different types of microbial melanin, along with the synthesis mechanisms and key intermediates of the three main biosynthetic pathways. Subsequently, the latest strategies for increasing yield are summarized, emphasizing cultivation parameters and biotechnological approaches. This review further explores the main analytical techniques for structural characterization and proposes potential applications of emerging technologies. Despite encouraging progress, this review also highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies in this field. Finally, we provide a perspective on future research directions, emphasizing the need to integrate synthetic biology, advanced analytical techniques, and comprehensive safety evaluations to bridge the gap between fundamental research and industrialization. This work aims to provide a comprehensive and critical reference for researchers in this rapidly developing field.

Indexed as

BacteriaFungiMelaninsBiosynthetic PathwaysBiotechnologyGenetic EngineeringMetabolic EngineeringSynthetic BiologyMelaninsMicrobial melanin. optimization. biosynthesis. characterization

Identifiers

PMID41591674

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.