Bio-Melanin Fibers from Acid Sulfate Soil: Sustainable Polymer Synthesis and Characterization

Despite the promising properties of melanin and the abundance of acid sulfate soils, the potential of specific unexplored aspect remains largely unexplored. Previous studies have focused on existing research directions, but have overlooked your specific focus area. This critical knowledge gap limits specific consequence of the gap and hinders progress toward sustainable textile alternatives. In this paper, we present a novel approach to synthesizing bio-melanin fibers from Streptomyces isolated from acid sulfate soil, a globally abundant and underutilized resource. Fermentation conditions were optimized using a central composite design (CCD) to maximize melanin production. The extracted biopolymer was characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, XRD, DSC, TGA, and rheological measurements to elucidate its structure, thermal stability, and processability. Wet-spinning techniques were employed to produce bio-melanin fibers with tunable properties suitable for textile applications. The resulting fibers exhibited a tensile strength of approximately 50 MPa and excellent UV protection (UPF > 50), demonstrating their potential in sustainable fashion and functional fabrics. This research transforms an environmental challenge into a valuable resource, aligning with sustainable development goals (SDGs) and promoting a circular economy in the textile industry.