PIGMENT FORMATION BY BACTERIUM SALMONICIDA

Abstract

An extensive literature exists concerning the role of tyrosine and tyrosinase in the formation of melano-pigments. This interest reflects the widespread distribution of the enzyme and the conspicuousness of such pigments in man, ani-mals, and plants. Several comprehensive reviews exist on these pigments and the various factors which influence their formation (Raper, 1928; Lerner and Fitzpatrick, 1950; Dawson and Tarpley, 1951). Much of the emphasis has been directed to the metabolism of tyrosine, an amino acid which plays an important role in melano-pigmentation. The formation of these darkly colored products from their precursors is a complex phenomenon, and detailed information