Julho 2025 vol. 11 num. 1 - XV Encontro Científico de Física Aplicada

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Spin, Radicals, and Melanin: Quantum Interfaces in Fungal Adaptability

Spin, Radicals, and Melanin: Quantum Interfaces in Fungal Adaptability

Teixeira, Cezar Augusto Fontana ; Rodrigues, Mariana Tozzi ; Altoé, Lorena Souza Castro ; Barbosa, Debora Gonçalves ; Barbosa, Karen Ruth Michio ; Campanharo, Camilly Victória ; Casotti, Matheus Correia ; Guaitolini, Yasmin Moreto ; Serrano, Maria Judith ; Isabele Pagani Pavan, Alice Pitanga Rocha ; Sabbagh, Daniel Oliveira ; Soares, Carlos Emanoel Vieira Flores ; Louro, Iuri Drumond ; Meira, Debora Dummer ;

Artigo:

A radiação ionizante representa um dos mais desafiadores estresses ambientais para organismos vivos, mas certos fungos melanizados exibem notável resistência e até crescimento favorecido em ambientes radioativos. Essa capacidade singular está relacionada à presença de melanina, pigmento com propriedades químicas, estruturais e quânticas que conferem proteção contra radiação e potencial para processos de radiossíntese. Evidências recentes sugerem que fungos melanizados podem não apenas tolerar radiação, mas utilizá-la como fonte energética, modulando processos bioquímicos e apresentando crescimento direcionado em resposta a fontes radioativas (radiotropismo). Estudos destacam ainda a importância da estrutura tridimensional da melanina, seu efeito atenuador comparável ao chumbo, interações eletrônicas que aumentam a redução de NADH e possíveis mecanismos quânticos, como transições singlete-triplete em pares radicais sensíveis a campos magnéticos. Esses avanços revelam a melanina como pigmento multifuncional, com potencial para aplicações em biomateriais radioprotetores e implicações em astrobiologia e biotecnologia de ambientes extremos.

Artigo:

Ionizing radiation represents one of the most challenging environmental stresses for living organisms, yet certain melanized fungi exhibit remarkable resistance and even enhanced growth in radioactive environments. This unique capability is related to the presence of melanin, a pigment with chemical, structural, and quantum properties that provide protection against radiation and potential for radiosynthesis processes. Recent evidence suggests that melanized fungi may not only tolerate radiation but also use it as an energy source, modulating biochemical processes and exhibiting directed growth toward radioactive sources (radiotropism). Studies further highlight the importance of melanin’s three-dimensional structure, its attenuation effect comparable to lead, electronic interactions that increase NADH reduction, and possible quantum mechanisms such as singlet-triplet transitions in magnetic-field-sensitive radical pairs. These advances reveal melanin as a multifunctional pigment with potential applications in radioprotective biomaterials and implications for astrobiology and biotechnology in extreme environments.

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Palavras-chave: Fungos melanizados, Micorremediação, Radiação ionizante, Melanina, Radiotropismo,

Palavras-chave: Melanized fungi, Mycoremediation, Ionizing radiation, Melanin, Radiotropism,

DOI: 10.5151/xvecfa-2025006

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Como citar:

Teixeira, Cezar Augusto Fontana; Rodrigues, Mariana Tozzi; Altoé, Lorena Souza Castro; Barbosa, Debora Gonçalves; Barbosa, Karen Ruth Michio; Campanharo, Camilly Victória; Casotti, Matheus Correia; Guaitolini, Yasmin Moreto; Serrano, Maria Judith; Isabele Pagani Pavan, Alice Pitanga Rocha; Sabbagh, Daniel Oliveira; Soares, Carlos Emanoel Vieira Flores; Louro, Iuri Drumond; Meira, Debora Dummer; "Spin, Radicals, and Melanin: Quantum Interfaces in Fungal Adaptability", p. 28-33 . In: Anais do XV Encontro Científico de Física Aplicada. São Paulo: Blucher, 2025.
ISSN 2358-2359, DOI 10.5151/xvecfa-2025006

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