eumelanin

[ yoo-mel-uh-nin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a black or brown melanin pigment, responsible for dark coloring of hair, skin, feathers, etc. Compare neuromelanin ( def ), pheomelanin ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of eumelanin¹

First recorded in 1920–25; eu- ( def ) + melanin ( def )

Example Sentences

The genetic modifications 'instructed' the same microbes that were growing the material to also produce the dark black pigment, eumelanin.

From Science Daily

In work published in 2016, he and his colleagues looked carefully at the different trace metals in pigments from modern feathers and found that whereas eumelanin contains copper, pheomelanin contains sulfur and zinc.

From Science Magazine

A decade ago, scientists used high-energy synchrotron x-rays to identify the key chemical signatures of a pigment called eumelanin, which colors skin, hair, and other tissues black, brown, and gray.

From Science Magazine

Mantled howler monkeys typically have a type of melanin—the pigment that colors hair and skin cells—called eumelanin that is black, gray, or dark brown.

From Science Magazine

The cells produced more eumelanin, the pigment responsible for black and brown skin, hair, and eyes.

From Science Magazine