A PhD dissertation in the Department of Life Sciences at the College of Science, Al-Qadisiyah University, entitled “Bioproduction and Improvement of Melanin Pigment Extracted from Aspergillus niger Fungus and its Use as an Antioxidant, Anti-cancer, and Antibacterial Agent,” was conducted by researcher Ahmed Abdul-Hur Yasser Al-Juhayshi and supervised by Professor Dr. Niran Obaid Jassim.

The dissertation aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-skin cancer, and anti-oxidant efficacy of melanin pigment against isolated skin infections, skin cancer, and oxidative stress.

The results showed that melanin pigment possesses high efficacy in inhibiting the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria isolated from skin infections. It also demonstrated high efficacy in treating induced skin cancer in laboratory animals.

The study concluded that melanin pigment extracted from fungi represents a promising natural bioavailable alternative in combating bacterial skin infections and skin cancer due to its ability to eliminate cancerous cells. Skin regeneration and the rebuilding of healthy cells, as well as inhibiting the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.