| Auricularia auricula is an edible fungus with a unique nutritional value and healthy function and is widely dis‐
tributed in China. It contains a variety of bioactive compounds. Melanin is one of the main bioactive components with high
safety. It can be further developed into functional pigments with health care function. The research in this field has broad
application prospects. In this paper, the physicochemical properties, molecular composition, structural characterization, sep‐
aration and preparation methods of Auricularia auricula melanin, as well as its biological activities such as scavenging free
radicals, antibacterial and antiviral, antiradiation, improving liver injury, protecting DNA and so on, were reviewed. The
problems limiting the development and application of Auricularia auricula melanin were analyzed, and the prospects were
put forward, which would be helpful for the study of the biological mechanism of Auricularia auricula melanin and its appli‐
cation in food, medicine, cosmetics and other fields. |
