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.

The present invention relates to the use of an aza-BODIPY fluorophore compound as a contrast agent in the optical window ranging from 1000 to 1700 nm. The invention also relates to the use, as a contrast agent, of a composition comprising said fluorophore compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and/or a solvent, in a kit comprising an injection system and said fluorophore or said composition, and also to a method for identifying a biological target (such as a healthy or tumour cell, a protein, DNA, RNA, for example).

The present invention relates to the use of an aza-BODIPY fluorophore compound as a contrast agent in the optical window ranging from 1000 to 1700 nm. The invention also relates to the use, as a contrast agent, of a composition comprising said fluorophore compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and/or a solvent, in a kit comprising an injection system and said fluorophore or said composition, and also to a method for identifying a biological target (such as a healthy or tumour cell, a protein, DNA, RNA, for example).

Water-soluble dipyrromethene-based dyes are provided herein. In certain cases, the water-soluble dye is a dipyrromethene-boron dye. Embodiments of the subject water-soluble dipyrromethene-based dyes have a narrow absorption maxima in the yellow green range close to or at the 561 nm laser line, and are suitable for use in tandem dye systems. Embodiments of the subject dyes efficiently transfer energy to an acceptor chromophore while a second dipyrromethene-based dye of the same or different chemical structure is within energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided herein are tandem dyes that include the subject water-soluble dipyrromethene-based dyes, e.g., as donor chromophores. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labelling a target molecule in which the subject dyes find use are also provided. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Water solvated polymeric dyes and polymeric tandem dyes are provided. The polymeric dyes include a water solvated light harvesting multichromophore having a conjugated segment of aryl or heteroaryl co-monomers linked via covalent bonds, vinylene groups or ethynylene groups. The polymeric tandem dyes further include a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided are labeled specific binding members that include the subject polymeric dyes. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labeling a target molecule in which the subject polymeric dyes find use are also provided. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Water solvated polymeric dyes and polymeric tandem dyes are provided. The polymeric dyes include a water solvated light harvesting multichromophore having a conjugated segment of aryl or heteroaryl co-monomers linked via covalent bonds, vinylene groups or ethynylene groups. The polymeric tandem dyes further include a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided are labeled specific binding members that include the subject polymeric dyes. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labeling a target molecule in which the subject polymeric dyes find use are also provided. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the compounds have the following structure (I):

##STR00001##

or a stereoisomer, tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, L.sup.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3, L.sup.4, M.sup.1, M.sup.2, m, and n are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds is also provided.

The present invention relates to laundry care compositions comprising carboxylate dyes. The laundry care compositions can be laundry detergent compositions, laundry additive compositions such as fabric enhancer compositions or bleach additive compositions. Preferably, the laundry care composition is a laundry detergent composition. The composition can be a solid, such as a powder, tablet or bar, or a liquid. The composition can be in the form of a unit dose, such as pouch. Suitable unit dose pouches include single compartment and multi-compartment pouches.

The present invention relates to laundry care compositions comprising carboxylate dyes. The laundry care compositions can be laundry detergent compositions, laundry additive compositions such as fabric enhancer compositions or bleach additive compositions. Preferably, the laundry care composition is a laundry detergent composition. The composition can be a solid, such as a powder, tablet or bar, or a liquid. The composition can be in the form of a unit dose, such as pouch. Suitable unit dose pouches include single compartment and multi-compartment pouches.