Melanin mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles by Yarrowia lipolytica

Yarrowia lipolytica is known to synthesize cell-associated gold nanoparticles. Melanin, a pigment associated with the yeast, was identified as a factor responsible for nanoparticle synthesis. Cell-extracted melanin as well as that induced by incubating cells with 3,4-dihydroxy- l-phenylalanine (l-DOPA) mediated the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). These nanoparticles were characterized by a variety of standard techniques. This report identifies one of the molecular mechanisms involved in nanoparticle synthesis by Y. lipolytica. The nanoparticles thus synthesized were effective antibiofilm agents.

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► Melanin from Yarrowia lipolytica mediated gold nanoparticle (AuNP) synthesis.
► AuNPs were characterized.
► These AuNPs displayed effective antibiofilm activity.