Biological activities of melanin pigment extracted fromBombyx morigut-associated yeastCryptococcus rajasthanensisKY627764

Melanin pigment has been produced and extracted from a wide variety of living forms ranging from microorganisms to higher organisms. Owing to the therapeutic nature of the pigment, various microbial populations have been explored for its production. Hence, we isolated a melanin producing yeast from the insectBombyx morigut microflora and identified it asCryptococcus rajasthanensisbased on the molecular characterization. The isolated yeast produced enhanced melanin pigment when cultured in the minimall-tyrosine broth as compared to the Saboraud medium. The pigment was extracted and characterized as melanin based on UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy and(1)H NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance). The melanin pigment was evaluated as a potent bioactive molecule with bioactivity like antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity that describes the therapeutic nature of the extracted melanin pigment. Distinct from the biologically active role the melanin pigment isolated from the yeast, theCryptococcusextract also exhibited killer toxin activity against the pathogenic yeastCandida albicans.