1,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene melanin in Wangiella dermatitidis and Alterna
ria alternata was titrated in vivo with the oxidants permanganate, hyp
ochlorite, and H2O2. Melanized strains neutralized more oxidant and wi
thstood higher concentrations of permanganate and hypochlorite than al
bino strains did, H2O2 killing required 1,000-fold higher concentratio
ns, and melanin did not protect W. dermatitidis against H2O2.