The present disclosure relates to methods for preparing cross-linked polymeric materials, cross-linked polymeric materials which can be prepared by such methods and uses of such cross-linked polymeric materials, for example, as antibacterial surfaces or coatings. The present disclosure also relates to polymers such as the polymer of the general Formula (III) which can be used, for example, to prepare such cross-linked polymeric materials:

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The present disclosure relates to methods for preparing cross-linked polymeric materials, cross-linked polymeric materials which can be prepared by such methods and uses of such cross-linked polymeric materials, for example, as antibacterial surfaces or coatings. The present disclosure also relates to polymers such as the polymer of the general Formula (III) which can be used, for example, to prepare such cross-linked polymeric materials:

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The present invention comprises a novel natural yellow colorant system to enhance the appearance of pickled and/or fermented vegetable products. Individually all-natural yellow pigments failed light stability investigations in pickled and/or fermented vegetable products—either the yellow hue of the brine solution faded, or the pulp/skin of the vegetable turned white, or both. Surprisingly combinations of these same individual natural yellow pigments not only created brine hues and vegetable coloring comparable to FD&C Yellow #5 products but remained stable in accelerated light stability investigations designed to mimic the real-time shelf-life of the products.

Novel compounds able to absorb UV radiation and comprise antimicrobial properties as well. The compounds are novel and undisclosed scytonemin analogs, able to absorb up to 90% of UV-A radiation and can cover a broader UV to blue light absorption range from 293 nm to 500 nm. When mixtures of more than one compound are used, their synergetic absorption properties can cover an even broader spectrum within 293 nm to 500 nm. The compounds present faint coloration, and some are even colorless, therefor the present compounds can be easily incorporated in formulations to be used in cosmetic products, sunscreens or lenses for sunglasses.

Cosmetic and dermatological compositions, including color changing compositions, are provided which typically include a plurality of synthetic particles having a size in the micrometer or nanometer range. Each synthetic particle typically includes one or more aggregates of a pigment selected from phenoxazone, phenoxazine, and a derivate or precursor thereof, and a stabilizing material which has a refractive index larger than 1.45; the aggregates having a size larger than about 100 nm and the composition being biodegradable and biocompatible.

Cosmetic and dermatological compositions, including color changing compositions, are provided which typically include a plurality of synthetic particles having a size in the micrometer or nanometer range. Each synthetic particle typically includes one or more aggregates of a pigment selected from phenoxazone, phenoxazine, and a derivate or precursor thereof, and a stabilizing material which has a refractive index larger than 1.45; the aggregates having a size larger than about 100 nm and the composition being biodegradable and biocompatible.

The present disclosure provides a method for obtaining melanin from invertebrate biomass. The method may comprise rupturing the invertebrate biomass to form raw material; demineralizing the raw material to form a first solid fraction; deproteinating the first solid fraction to form a second solid fraction; liberating a melanin from the second solid fraction resulting in a supernatant comprising the melanin; extracting the supernatant; and precipitating the melanin. The present disclosure further provides a purified melanin obtained from invertebrate biomass.

The present disclosure provides a method for obtaining melanin from invertebrate biomass. The method may comprise rupturing the invertebrate biomass to form raw material; demineralizing the raw material to form a first solid fraction; deproteinating the first solid fraction to form a second solid fraction; liberating a melanin from the second solid fraction resulting in a supernatant comprising the melanin; extracting the supernatant; and precipitating the melanin. The present disclosure further provides a purified melanin obtained from invertebrate biomass.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a melanin composition extracted from black knot fungus (Apiosporina morbosa) using an acid-base extraction technique. In one or more embodiments, the melanin composition is extracted from the black outer layer of a black knot fungus by obtaining a powder including a black outer part of one or more black knot fungus, adding a quantity of an aqueous solution comprising one or more base, heating the mixture to solubilize a melanin in the aqueous solution to form a black alkaline supernatant containing said melanin, adding one or more acids to said black alkaline supernatant until the melanin precipitates out of said black alkaline supernatant, said melanin precipitate further comprising proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; collecting the melanin precipitate and adding one or more acids to hydrolyze some or all of said proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and produce the melanin composition.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a melanin composition extracted from black knot fungus (Apiosporina morbosa) using an acid-base extraction technique. In one or more embodiments, the melanin composition is extracted from the black outer layer of a black knot fungus by obtaining a powder including a black outer part of one or more black knot fungus, adding a quantity of an aqueous solution comprising one or more base, heating the mixture to solubilize a melanin in the aqueous solution to form a black alkaline supernatant containing said melanin, adding one or more acids to said black alkaline supernatant until the melanin precipitates out of said black alkaline supernatant, said melanin precipitate further comprising proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; collecting the melanin precipitate and adding one or more acids to hydrolyze some or all of said proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and produce the melanin composition.