¹H NMR Spectroscopic Characterization of Solutions of <i>Sepia</i> Melanin, <i>Sepia</i> Melanin Free Acid and Human Hair Melanin

Abstract

A 1H nuclear magnetic resonance study of Sepia melanin, Sepia melanin free acid (Sepia MFA) and human hair melanin was carried out in deuterium oxide solution at pH 10-11. The empirical formula of Sepia MFA was calculated and used to estimate the number of protons in the aromatic region of the Sepia MFA polymeric chain and to suggest a possible monomeric unit profile.