[Structure characterization of melanin in black sesame by GC/MS].

Black sesame melanin, a kind of biopolymer was degraded by alkali fusion to study structure characterization. The degraded products were derivatized with bis-(trimethylsilyl) trifloroacetamide in a sealed tube at 125 degrees C for 30 min. The silylanization derivatives of degradation products were analyzed by GC/MS. Catechol, 1,4-dihydroxy benzene and catechuic acid were detected. This method can be used to characterize the structure type of black sesame melanin.